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359
Christ Enthroned, from the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
The Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus is a marble Early Christian sarcophagus used for the burial of Junius Bassus, who died in 359. It has been described as "probably the single most famous piece of early Christian relief sculpture". -
526
Ravenna, San Vitale, Emperor Justinian
The "Basilica of San Vitale" is a church in Ravenna, Italy, and one of the most important examples of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. -
800
Coronation Gospels / Gospel Book of Charlemagne, St. Matthew
The Coronation Gospels can justifiably be called the most important book of the Middle Ages, because it was present at every coronation of the kings of the Romans, at least from the twelfth century onwards. -
816
Ebbo Gospels, St. Matthew
The Ebbo Gospels is an early Carolingian illuminated Gospel book known for an unusual, energetic style of illustration. -
830
Scenes from Genesis: Adam and Eve Moutier-Grandval Bible
The Moutier-Granval Bible is an illuminated manuscript bible of about 840, which was probably written in Tours, France, perhaps specially for the abbey. It was owned by them until the dissolution in the French Revolutionary Wars, when it was apparently forgotten and found in Delémont by children. -
997
Otto III Enthroned, Gospels of Otto III
The Gospels of Otto III is a late 10th or early 11th century illuminated Gospel Book. The manuscript is a major example of Ottonian illumination. -
997
St. Luke, Gospels of Otto III
From the source of the fathers, the ox brings forth a flow of waters for the lambs. -
1002
Adoration of the Magi, Lectionary of Henry II
The picture portrays an angel announcing the news of Christ’s birth to shepherds.The angels extended arm is supposed to give it a sense of authority and instruction. Its gold background is influenced by Byzantine culture. -
1015
Bronze Doors of Bishop Bernward at St. Michael’s, Hildesheim Lord Confronting Adam and Eve
A progressive feature of the figures on the Bernward Doors is their style of relief: the figures do not extend a uniform distance from the background, but 'lean' out from it, so that when seen side on they almost give the impression of "roses on a trellis, with nodding heads". -
1015
Bishop Bernward’s Bronze Doors, St. Michael’s, Hildesheim
The Bernward Doors are the two leaves of a pair of Ottonian or Romanesque bronze doors, made c. 1015 for Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. They were commissioned by Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim.