Bibliography Detail
The Autograph Manuscript of the "Liber Floridus": A Key to the Encyclopedia of Lambert of Saint-Omer
Turnhout: Brepolis, 1998; Series: Corpus christianorum. Autographa Medii Aevi, 4
A study of the original copy of the Liber Floridus of Lambert of Saint-Omer, the manuscript Universiteitsbibliotheek Gent MS 92. Includes data on the copies of the Liber Floridus and related manuscripts, and a survey of the sources.
This encyclopedical compilation of the early twelfth century (finished 1121) was composed, written and illustrated by an obscur canon of the Chapter of our Lady in Saint-Omer (France, dépt. du Pas de Calais). It may be considered one of the earliest illustrated medieval encyclopedias and its maps, diagrams and pictures (some of them masterpieces of Romanesque art) are world-famous. Due to its apparent lack of logical structure, however, Lambert's work has often been dismissed as an unorganized compilation. Against this still prevailing opinion the present book shows that the encyclopedia is the expression of a highly personal global view of the world. It was to be a brilliant synthesis, pervaded by an emphatic sense of symbolism, allegory and eschatology. The close codicological and textual analysis of the complete work shows also why Lambert failed to achieve his object in its full splendour; how especially external circumstances have caused a gradual weakening of the original train of thought as well as of the original beauty of the manuscript. The book focuses on the fundamental links between Lambert's thoughts and the material structures he had to create to give them their place in his book. - [Summary]
Language: English
ISBN: 2-503-50792-1; LC: AE2.L363D471998; DDC: 200; OCLC: 40406249
Last update October 23, 2023