Barberini Gospels
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The Barberini Gospels is an illuminated Anglo-Saxon manuscript (Rome, Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica, Barberini Lat. 570, also known as the Wigbald Gospels), assumed to be of a late eighth century origin. After coming to light following its move to the Vatican Library in 1902 this luxury Gospel book has been known but largely ignored by the academic community. What little has been written about it includes some brief comparisons of its iconography with that of its contemporaries and an inconclusive debate regarding the site of its production. There have also been speculations about a colophon, an entreaty for the reader to pray for one Wigbaldo and its role in providing a connection to a specific historical context.
The Barberini Gospels contains one illuminated canon table, portraits of the four evangelists, and fifteen decorated initials. The book follows a fairly standard format in which each separate Gospel book opens with a portrait of the author and a large decorated initial, or incipit, at the beginning of the text. Another large decorated initial, often referred to as the “monogram of Christ,” punctuates the beginning of Matthew’s account of the Incarnation and more initials are inserted in a similar fashion at key points in the other Gospel texts.
Key to the treatment of the origin of the Barberini Gospels is the striking contrast between two very distinct traditions and painting styles. On the one hand are the elaborate and intricately decorated initials one comes to expect in insular manuscripts of this period. The technical expertise of these embellishments is at the same level as those of more well-known manuscripts such as the Book of Kells or the Lichfield Gospels. On the other hand, there are many elements employed in the decoration of this Gospel book which do not seem to belong here, either because they more closely resemble motifs found in non-insular or Continental art or because they are too early, foreshadowing trends of a later, even Romanesque period.