This is our first example. It now is to be seen in the
National Library, Paris (Nouv. acqu. Lat. 1203).
Next comes the Evangeliary of Abbat Angilbert of Centula (now St.
Riquier), near Abbeville, Charlemagne's son-in-law. This MS., executed
about the year 793, is still preserved in the Town Library of Abbeville.
In the same rank, but somewhat finer in execution, comes a third
Evangeliary, that of St. M?dard of Soissons, now in the National
Library, Paris (No. 8850, Lat.).
In these three MSS., reproductions from which are to be found in various
modern works on art, the writing and ornamentation are the parts into
which the artist puts his best work, not the figure drawing. Although in
the St. Sernin MS. there is, in the Christ-figure, a distinct attempt at
portraiture quite different from the coils and pen-flourishes which make
up the Gospel-figures in the Irish and Merovingian MSS. Here the
inspiration is clearly Greek, not Irish. The figure is draped in green
and violet--seated on an embroidered cushion before a low castellated
wall. The hair is light, and the chin beardless. The design shows a
decided likeness to the consular ivory diptychs, and the painting
follows the Eastern methods. In the details of ornament only are Irish
features.
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