Homilies of Kokkinobaphos
Type:
Illuminated manuscripts
Date:
1140s–50s
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
Turkey
Dimensions:
23 × 16.5 cm
Description:
Two surviving manuscripts illustrate the Marian homilies of the twelfth-century monk Iakovos (James) of the otherwise unknown Kokkinobaphos monastery (Vatican City, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS gr. 1162; Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS gr. 1208). The Paris manuscript (260 folios) is a smaller copy of the Vatican one, but both seem to have been supervised by Iakovos himself. The book is lavishly decorated with a full-page introductory miniature that depicts the author, six full-page frontispieces, another sixty-six framed miniatures, and decorated headpieces and initials. It was made in or near Constantinople, possibly for Eirene, the sister-in-law of Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, to whom Iakovos wrote over forty letters (preserved in Paris, BnF, MS gr. 3039). Many of the inventive initials are related to hunting and falconry, both popular aristocratic pursuits. The style and vivid colors of the images made by the so-called Kokkinobaphos Master, who illustrated the Vatican manuscript in the 1140s, were imitated by the artists of the Kokkinobaphos Workshop, which produced the Paris manuscript in the early 1150s as well as other stylistically similar books.
In both Kokkinobaphos manuscripts, images are closely tied to the texts but also move beyond them to convey visual messages. At the heart of Iakovos's sermons is the Protevangelion of James, a second-century apocryphal account of Mary's early life, although he knew many other textual works also. The Protevangelion describes Mary's years in the Temple in Jerusalem, along with other consecrated virgins. In the miniatures, the Temple looks like an Orthodox church. The frontispieces represent biblical types for the Theotokos , underscoring her role in Christ's human nature. The number of scenes illustrating the Virgin's early life in these two Kokkinobaphos manuscripts is exceptional in Byzantine art.
On fol. 1v of the Paris manuscript, the monk Iakovos kneels before two great theological authors, John Chrysostom (left) and Gregory of Nyssa (right), acknowledging their contributions to his homilies. Fol. 3v, the frontispiece to the first homily, shows the Ascension of Christ. The five-domed building with its lavish marble revetment is thought to represent the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, founded by Emperor Constantine and rebuilt by Justinian. Fol. 8r depicts groups of saints assembled for the feast of the conception of the Virgin. On fol. 73v, the frontispiece to the third homily—on Mary's entrance into the Temple—we see Moses and the Burning Bush (Exod. 3): the bush was not consumed by fire, just as Mary's virginity was not consumed when she gave birth to Jesus. On fol. 92v, Mary is introduced into the Temple, where she is fed by an angel. Fol. 30r is a representative text page with a decorative headpiece and initial.
In both Kokkinobaphos manuscripts, images are closely tied to the texts but also move beyond them to convey visual messages. At the heart of Iakovos's sermons is the Protevangelion of James, a second-century apocryphal account of Mary's early life, although he knew many other textual works also. The Protevangelion describes Mary's years in the Temple in Jerusalem, along with other consecrated virgins. In the miniatures, the Temple looks like an Orthodox church. The frontispieces represent biblical types for the Theotokos , underscoring her role in Christ's human nature. The number of scenes illustrating the Virgin's early life in these two Kokkinobaphos manuscripts is exceptional in Byzantine art.
On fol. 1v of the Paris manuscript, the monk Iakovos kneels before two great theological authors, John Chrysostom (left) and Gregory of Nyssa (right), acknowledging their contributions to his homilies. Fol. 3v, the frontispiece to the first homily, shows the Ascension of Christ. The five-domed building with its lavish marble revetment is thought to represent the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, founded by Emperor Constantine and rebuilt by Justinian. Fol. 8r depicts groups of saints assembled for the feast of the conception of the Virgin. On fol. 73v, the frontispiece to the third homily—on Mary's entrance into the Temple—we see Moses and the Burning Bush (Exod. 3): the bush was not consumed by fire, just as Mary's virginity was not consumed when she gave birth to Jesus. On fol. 92v, Mary is introduced into the Temple, where she is fed by an angel. Fol. 30r is a representative text page with a decorative headpiece and initial.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
7
Repository and Online Resources:
• Paris, BnF, MS gr. 1208 is digitized on the Gallica website.
• Vatican City, BAV, MS gr. 1162 is digitized on the digital Vatican Library website.
Image Credits:
BnF, https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b55013447b/f14.item
