The Doors of Bishop Bernward and the Magdeburg Ivories Early Medieval Art Slide and Questions

Judgment of Christ by Pilate & Crucifixion

Title: Temptation and Fall Question: Why does the snake appear at first glance to be one of the branches of the tree? What is the argument behind this intentional representation? Temptation and Fall The Doors of Bishop Bernward made for the Abbey Church of Saint Michael 1015 Hildesheim, Germany

Title: Crucifixion Question: Why is Christ so much larger than the other figures? What is the argument presented through this visual representation? Crucifixion The Doors of Bishop Bernward made for the Abbey Church of Saint Michael 1015 Hildesheim, Germany

Title: Accusation and Judgment of Adam and Eve Question: What argument can you offer about the way that Adam and Eve are standing? Accusation and Judgment of Adam and Eve The Doors of Bishop Bernward made for the Abbey Church of Saint Michael 1015 Hildesheim, Germany

What is the difference between images that offer a narrative history and images that are used to represent typological interrelationships?

What is the typological interrelationships between these two images?

Otto I Presenting Magdeburg Cathedral to Christ How does this image authorize Otto I’s power? Magdeburg Ivories 962-968 For the decoration of the Magdeburg Cathedral, Otto the Great had a group of ivory plaques made in Milan. They were all once part of the same object - either an antependium, a bishop's throne, or a pulpit - that Otto donated for the newly built cathedral. It is likely that the occasion of the donation was the raising of Magdeburg to an archbishopric in 968. They are wonderful to look at, because they are intended to instruct, report, and remind the viewer of key events or lessons from the New Testament. These ivories are also used by Otto the Great as a way to authorize his power as Christ’s secular representative.

Peter Find the Tribute Money in a Fish Why would Otto I decide to include this scene in the series of plaque he commissioned for the Magdeburg Cathedral? Peter Find the Tribute Money in a Fish Magdeburg Ivories 962-968 Matthew 17:24-27 The Temple Tax 24After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?” 26“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Raising of Lazarus from Magdeburg Ivories What aspect of Christ’s power does this image emphasize? Raising of Lazarus from Magdeburg Ivories 962-968 For the decoration of the Magdeburg Cathedral, Otto the Great had a group of ivory plaques made in Milan. They were all once part of the same object - either an antependium, a bishop's throne, or a pulpit - that Otto donated for the newly built cathedral. It is likely that the occasion of the donation was the raising of Magdeburg to an archbishopric in 968. They are wonderful to look at, because they are intended to instruct, report, and remind the viewer of key events or lessons from the New Testament. These ivories are also used by Otto the Great as a way to authorize his power as Christ’s secular representative.

Healing of the Man Possessed by Demons Can you explain how this plaque demonstrates the medieval use of hierarchical proportion? hierarchical proportion: the relative size of an object/person indicates its importance Magdeburg Ivories 962-968 For the decoration of the Magdeburg Cathedral, Otto the Great had a group of ivory plaques made in Milan. They were all once part of the same object - either an antependium, a bishop's throne, or a pulpit - that Otto donated for the newly built cathedral. It is likely that the occasion of the donation was the raising of Magdeburg to an archbishopric in 968. They are wonderful to look at, because they are intended to instruct, report, and remind the viewer of key events or lessons from the New Testament. These ivories are also used by Otto the Great as a way to authorize his power as Christ’s secular representative.

2. What is this image properly called? The Annunciation c. 1020 Illumination Luke 1:26-38 King James Version (KJV)  26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,  27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.  28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.  34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  36And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  37For with God nothing shall be impossible.  38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

What is this image properly called? Page with Christ in Majesty Book of Mark, Godescalc Evangelistary 781-783 ink, gold, colors on vellum

Who are the four evangelists? Matthew – symbol: winged man or angel Mark– symbol: winged lion Luke– symbol: winged ox or bull John– symbol: eagle According to tradition these four men recorded the four Gospel accounts in the New Testament.