Codex Manesse (c. 1300 – 1340) (Reproductions)
The Codex Manesse (Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 848) is one of the most important surviving medieval German manuscripts, as it contains the largest collection of Middle High German ballads and epigrammatic poetry. It is the sole extant source for many of the poems contained therein. It was created in the fourteenth century, and contains poems from 140 different poets. Its verses are illustrated by four anonymous artists, including the so-called Foundation Painter, who created 110 of the manuscript’s miniatures. The three paintings selected for this exhibit were chosen because they highlight the intersections of performing religious and secular identity. Many of the images contain iconography that is shared across depictions of religious celebration and courtly life, just as the same melodies were recycled for performance in church and in court. These three paintings depict the significance of dance and musical instruments in the ritualistic performance of courtly celebration, and the shared elements of those celebrations with religious ritual. These pieces lead us to recognize that the beauty of performance is integral to the expression of human identity.
Folio 399 recto
This illustration focuses upon the significance of music and hierarchy entangled in the performance of identity. The King sits elevated above the performers, and directs them with his staff as they perform and look up toward him for guidance. This image shares iconographical resonance with similar miniatures in religious manuscripts, including both depictions of God as Ruler and the musical performance of the Old Testament Psalms.
Folio 271 recto
A man, woman, and child gaze at each other while playing instruments. While this is a secular scene, they are involved in a complicated performance of courtship that draws heavily upon the musical tradition developed by composers who set religious texts to melody. This miniature highlights the crossovers between art and music as integral to the performance of both religious and secular expression, as they draw upon the same aesthetic artifacts.
Folio 312 recto
In this illustration, a musican plays his viol while one woman dances and another enjoys the performance. While this is likely a secular performance, the music would have been familiar to its listeners through both its performance in court and in church. Music is able to connect humans to heaven — to transcendent experiences — through performance.