Lecture Notes: The Ebo Gospels and Carolingian Art

Introduction

• Location: International Congress on Medieval Studies, Kalamazoo
• Focus: Ebo Gospels, specifically the Gospel of Matthew
• Time Period: Dated around the 820s-830s

Ebo Gospels

• Depicts the evangelist Matthew writing his gospel
• Notable for its charged, energetic, expressive style
• Style contrasts with more modeled images of the same period and late antique/classical painting
• Depiction: Evangelist holding a stylus, with an ink horn in the other hand
• Other depiction practices: Stylus in one hand, knife in the other to hold page down

Codex and Christianity

• Writing in a codex, popularized with the advent of Christianity
• The codex/book gained prominence with Christianity's spread

Artistic Style and Influence

• Ebo Master: Known for frenzied, energetic line style
• Comparison: Similar to the style in the Utrecht Psalter
• Carolingian artists' interpretation of classical drawing styles
• Distinct style among Carolingian works

Classical Motifs

• Incorporation of classically inspired landscapes with buildings
• Matthew’s attribute: Winged man (related to the Book of Revelation)
  • Gospel writers’ attributes: Matthew (winged man), Mark (lion), Luke (bull), John (eagle)

Carolingian Art

• Definition: Art during Charlemagne’s reign
• Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day, 800
• Charlemagne's reforms: Encouraged imitation of ancient books' artistic and writing styles
  • Preference for naturalistic styles from early Christian period and Roman Emperor Constantine

Artistic Techniques and Challenges

• Carolingian artists explored perspective, realistic representation
• Techniques:
  • Highlighting and shadowing for three-dimensional representation
  • Attempted to bring figures realistically closer to the viewer
• Challenges:
  • Issues with perspective (e.g., leg highlighting)
  • Awkward positioning and flattening (e.g., footstool and book stand)
  • Emphasis on writing and composition, despite technical inaccuracies

Summary

• The Ebo Gospels represent a unique fusion of energetic medieval artistry with classical influences, reflective of the broader Carolingian artistic ambitions under Charlemagne’s reign. The focus on realistic depiction and perspective, despite its challenges, marks a distinct period in medieval art history.