Bamberg Apocalypse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bamberg Apocalypse |
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| Msc.Bibl.140,fol.10v | |
Apc 4, 1-8
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| Date | 1000-1020 |
| Place of origin | Reichenau Abbey |
| Patron | Otto III, Henry II |
The Bamberg Apocalypse is a very special old book from the 11th century. It is a illuminated manuscript, which means it's a handwritten book with amazing pictures and decorations. This book tells the story of the Book of Revelation from the Bible. It also includes parts of the Gospels, which are readings for church services.
This beautiful book was made around the years 1000 to 1020. It was created during a time known as the Ottonian dynasty in Europe. We are not entirely sure if Emperor Otto III or Emperor Henry II ordered it to be made. However, we do know that Emperor Henry II gave this book as a gift in 1020. He gave it to a new church called the Collegiate Abbey of St. Stephan in Bamberg. Today, you can find the Bamberg Apocalypse at the Bamberg State Library.
Contents
History of the Book
Where It Came From
This amazing book was finished between the years 1000 and 1020. It was made in a special workshop called a scriptorium on Reichenau Island. This island was famous for its skilled artists and writers.
What It's About
The main topic of the Bamberg Apocalypse is the Book of Revelation. This part of the Bible talks about the end of the world. It also includes comments on the Apocalypse by a writer named Beatus.
People have been interested in stories about the end of the world for a long time. But we don't have many old books about the Apocalypse until a period called the Carolingian dynasty. Apocalypse books were usually made during three main periods: the Carolingian, the Ottonian, and the Romanesque times. The Bamberg Apocalypse is an example of an Ottonian Apocalypse book. During this time, many Christians, not just leaders, believed that the end of the world might happen soon.
Who Ordered It
Experts often discuss who paid for the Bamberg Apocalypse to be made. Some think it was Emperor Otto III. He died suddenly in 1002. Others believe it was Emperor Henry II. Perhaps Henry II found the book unfinished and asked for it to be completed. We know for sure that Henry II and his wife, Cunigunde, gave the finished book to the new church in Bamberg.
How It Looks
Materials Used
The Bamberg Apocalypse has 106 folios, which are like pages. It is decorated with 57 shiny miniatures. These are small, detailed pictures. It also has over 100 gilded initials, which are fancy first letters of paragraphs. All these decorations are made with real gold!
The book measures about 29.5 by 20.5 centimeters. In 2003, this book and other similar ones from Reichenau were added to the UNESCO Memory of the World list. This list includes important documents and books from history.
The Amazing Pictures
The style of the Bamberg Apocalypse is similar to other books made in Reichenau. These include the Pericopes of Henry II and the Munich Gospels of Otto III. Many scholars are interested in the Bamberg Apocalypse because of its rich pictures and text.
The book has fifty miniatures of different sizes. These pictures are placed next to the Bible text. The backgrounds of the pictures often use a lot of gold. The people in the pictures are shown in active poses. The book is also known for the way it shows gestures, especially with hands.
Some of the ideas for the pictures in this book come from a place called Valenciennes. However, the Bamberg Apocalypse is special because it shows Bible stories in new ways. For example, it is believed to be the first surviving picture of the Last Judgement inside a book. On one page, Folio 27v, you can see the first full picture of Revelation chapter 11. This picture tells a story in three main parts. At the top, figures are preaching. Then, a beast attacks two witnesses. Finally, these witnesses come back to life at the bottom right. The Bamberg Apocalypse is the only illustrated Ottonian Apocalypse book that still exists today.
