Wall charts, history and European Identity

EU Culture Programme; Education and Culture DG

Sovereign in the Dark Ages

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Series:

Kosmos-Wandbilder

Timeframe:

Mittelalter

Scene of action:

Unknown

Illustrator:

Münchow, A.

Publisher:

Der neue Schulmann /Franck´sche Verlagshandlung (Kosmos, Gesellschaft der Naturfreunde) / Perthes; Stuttgart

Year of publication:

1976

Themes:

European history   

This wall chart is based on a miniature (illuminated manuscript) from the Liuthar-Evangeliar, an important Ottonian illuminated manuscript which was produced on behalf of Otto III (10th/11th century). The depiction of the Emperor (Otto II himself) is assimilated to depictions of Christ and is an example of the sacralization of the Emperor. You can see the sovereign and his clerical and worldly subordinates (soldiers). The Evangelists’ symbols (Lion of Mark, the Eagle of John, the Ox of Luke and the Angel of Matthew) are holding the white ribbon. Above the sovereign’s head you can see the blessing hand of Christ.