What if... what we see is not original? Investigating illuminations in Skarðsbók

What if... what we see is not original? Investigating illuminations in Skarðsbók

Beeke Stegmann gives a lecture in Edda at 2 p.m. next Tuesday (27 January) in connection with World in Words, an exhibition on manuscripts. Everyone welcome.

On the lecture's subject

One of the manuscripts currently on display in the exhibition World in Words is the splendid fourteenth-century codex known as Skarðsbók, or more precisely Skarðsbók Jónsbókar (AM 350 fol.), named after the Icelandic law code Jónsbók that it contains. The book has attracted the attention of both the general public and scholars alike: it is large, its text is generously laid out on the page, and almost every opening is adorned with fine decoration. In addition to the frequent and lavishly pen-flourished smaller initials, the manuscript also contains fourteen large historiated initials showing pictorial scenes. Compared to other surviving Icelandic codices, it is an exceptionally richly decorated book, and scholars have rightly described Skarðsbók as one of the most beautiful Icelandic manuscripts.

The oldest part of Skarðsbók was written around 1363, making it more than 650 years old. Over the centuries, it has been owned by various individuals, each with their own interests and ideas. We know that substantial textual additions were made around 1500 and again in the sixteenth century, when new leaves were added at the back of the codex, and others were replaced. But what if further changes occurred over time—for example, on the existing older leaves? What if the beautiful decoration originally looked different?

In her lecture, Beeke Stegmann will share insights from ongoing research focusing on the decoration of Skarðsbók Jónsbókar, and on how these illuminations may have been altered after the manuscript’s original production.

The lecture will be delivered in English.