Gospel Harmony of Eusebius

The School of Reichenau produced numerous priceless masterpieces. Among them is a manuscript now preserved in Brescia's Queriniana Library, the so-called Gospel Harmony of Eusebius. With its extraordinary full-page miniatures, initials and detailed canon tables, this codex is truly a one-of-a-kind.

The Gospel Harmony of Eusebius: a Deluxe Codex Reminiscent of Antiquity

The manuscript contains 19 folios displaying 19 skilfully penned 'arches' that frame the canon tables, or Gospel Harmony written by Eusebius in the 4th century AD.

Each page is filled with numerous luxurious decorations: each column is completely different from the other; architectural gables and arches, which draw their inspiration from Classical Antiquity, contribute in creating a perfectly harmonious composition.

The Reichenau School and its Style

The Gospel Pericopes, which come right after the first section, include 11 full-page miniatures, but also 12 luxurious initials which introduce the different readings for feast days, one facing the other.

The Gospel Harmony of Eusebius is a deluxe codex, something witnessed by the various initials set on purple background that open the single readings. The lively orange touches are also a 'lively' trademark of the Ottonian illumination style in which these books were produced at Reichenau.

Ottonian Book Illumination at its Best

This copy of the Gospel Harmony of Eusebius is seldom mentioned in scholarly literature, possibly because it is preserved in a somewhat 'remote' place. However, scholars hold it in great esteem: its 42 miniatures and initials, all penned in shining gold, are to be seen as one of the best examples of Ottonian book creation.

We have 2 facsimiles of the manuscript "Gospel Harmony of Eusebius":

Die Evangelienharmonie des Eusebius facsimile edition published by Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA), 1991
Le concordanze di Eusebio facsimile edition published by De Agostini/UTET, 2006

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#1 Die Evangelienharmonie des Eusebius

Commentary (English, German) by Parker, S.I.; Milde, W.

Full-size color reproduction of the entire original document, Gospel Harmony of Eusebius: the facsimile attempts to replicate the look-and-feel and physical features of the original document; pages are trimmed according to the original format; the binding might not be consistent with the current document binding.

Complete colour facsimile edition of the illuminated and text pages of the codex in original size (350 x 250 mm). The codex contains 19 canon-tables, 11 full-page miniatures and 12 full-page initial letters with rich gold ornaments. All folios are cut according to the original. The scholarly commentary volume explains all miniatures both for professional and lay readers and deals with the historic and art historic background of the book.