Text File

THE VERDUN ALTAR

[Provided courtesy of James Marchand, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 24 December 1992]

I have been working on the medieval variants of the Biblia pauperum. The famous Verdun Altar of Klosterneuburg (outside of Vienna, towards Waldviertel) is often said to exhibit the earliest form of the texts of the BP.

The Texts in the Klosterneuburger Altar

I.The Frame: Qualiter etatum sacra'consona sint peraratum . Cernis in hoc opere mundi primordia quere . limite sub primo sunt umbre legis in imo . inter utrumque situm dat tempus gracia tritum . que prius obscura vates cecinere figura . esse dedit pura nova factoris genitura . vim per divinam veniens reparare ruinam . que per serpentem deiecit utrumque parentem . si pensas iuste legis mandata vetuste . Ostentata foris retinent nil pene decoris . unde patet vere quia legis forma fuere . quam tribuit mundo pietas divina secundo: Anno milleno centeno septuageno . nec non In 1181 undeno Gwernherus corde sereno . sextus prepositus tibi.Virgo Maria dicavit. quod Nicolaus opus Virdunensis fabricavit . Christo Milleno t(re)cento vigeno|unde| no. P(rae)posit(us) de Syrendorf generat(us) . hoc op(us) auratum tulit huc tabulis renovatum . ab crucis altari de structura tabulari . que prius annexa fuit ambonique reflexa

Translation: How the sacred agreements of the ages are worked out . you will see in this work; seek the first things of the world under the first border; the shadows of the Law are in the lowest; placed between the two, grace gives the present (well)worn) time. Those things which of old the prophet sang in dark figure the new generation of the Maker made clear, coming through divine power to repair the ruin, which through the snake cast out both parents. If you rightly weigh the commandments of the Old Law, They scarcely show any beauty in outward form, whence it is obvious that they are of the form of that law which the divine love gave to the second world. Wernher with happy heart, the sixth abbot, dedicated to You, Virgin Mary, the work which Nicolaus of Verdun made. In the year 1331, Abbot Stephan, who came from Syrendorf, brought here this work, golden and renewed in tablets, from the altar of the cross from the picture frames which were first bent around the ambo.

II.

Tablet I/1: Annunciatio Ysaac (Annunciation of Isaac). Huic sobolis munus promittit trinus et unus (The trine and one promisses him the gift of progeny). Scroll: Tres vidit et unum adoravit (he saw three and adored one).

Tablet II/1: In the left corner: David: Audi f(ilia, et vide, et inclina aurem tuam) (Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear. Is 44:11). Annunciatio Domini (Annunciation of the Lord). Ex te nascetur quo lapsus homo redimetur (From you will be born by Whom fallen man will be redeemed). Scroll: Ave Maria.

Tablet III/1: Left corner: Virtus (virtue). Annunciatio Samson (Annunciation of Sampson). Hostibus in molem generabis femina prolem (You shall, 0 woman, give birth to a son to the damage of enemies).

III.

Tablet I/2: Nativitas Ysaac (Birth of Isaac). Heredem serum lactat Sara plena dierum (Sarah, full of days, suckles her late(born) son). Tablet II/2: Ieremias (left corner "femina c(ircumdabit virum)" (Jer. 31.22: For the lord hat created a new thing upon the earth: A WOMAN SHALL COMPASS A MAN). Nativitas Domini (Nativity of the Lord).

Nascitur absque patre Deus infans Virgine Matre (The God)Child is born from a Virgin Mother without father). Angel with scroll Gloria in excelsis Deo "Glory to God in the highest".

Tablet III/2: Left corner: Gaudium (joy). Nativitas Samsonis (Birth of Sampson). Hic puer Hebreis fit parma ruina Getheis (This boy becomes a shield for the Hebrews, a ruin to the Gethaeans).

IV.

Tablet I/3: Circumcisio Ysaac (Circumcision of Isaac). Flet circumcisus Ysaac tuus o Sara risus (Ysaac weeps while being circumcized, he who is your laughter Sarah).

Tablet II/3: Left corner: Moyses "Omnis mascu(lus ..." (Moses, "every male"). Circumcisio Christi (Circumcision of Christ). Nostra tulit Christi caro vulnera vulnere tristi (The flesh of Christ bore our wounds, made sad with wounds).

Tablet III/3: Above left: Obedencia (Obedience). Circumcisio Samson (Circumcision of Sampson). Vulnere digna reis notat istum iussio legis (The commandment of the law, fitting to the guilty, denotes this one by the wound)

V.

Tablet I/4: Abraham Melchisedech. Victor Abram regum decimavit singula rerum (The conqueror of kings, Abram, gave a tithe of each of the things).

Tablet II/4: Left above: Esayas: Parvulus (enim natus est nobis, et filius) da(tus est nobis) (For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us. Is. 9.6). Tres magi cum donis (The Three Kings with their gifts). Mistica dona Deo dant reges tres tria vero (The Three Kings give mystical gifts, threefold, to the true God).

Tablet III/4. Upper left: misericordia (mercy). Regina Saba. Misticat in donis Regina fidem Salemonis (The queen by her gifts secretly signifies the faith of Solomon).

VI.

Tablet I/5: Transitus Maris Rubri (The Crossing of the Red Sea). Unda rubens mundam baptismi misticat undam (The red wave mystically indicates the clean wave of baptism).

Tablet II/5. Upper left: Ionas. Esayas. baptismus Christi. Fit via dilutis Christi baptisma salutis (The baptism of Christ becomes the way of salvation for the baptized).

Tablet III/5: Upper left: Pax (peace). Mare supra boves xii (The sea above upon the 12 oxen, cf. 3 Kings 7.23-26; 2 Chr. 4.2-5). Forma fuit sacri maris umbra boumque lavacri (The type of the sea and the oxen was a shadow of the sacred font).

VII.

Tablet I/6: Moses it in Egiptum (Moses goes to Egypt). It redimat gentem dux sub pharaone gementem (The leader goes in order that he might redeem the people sighing under Pharao).

Tablet II/6: Upper left: Esayas: Syon noli timere (populus meus (O my people that dwellest in Sion, be not afraid ...). Dies palmarum (Palm Sunday). Turba Deo plaudit qui quos vult salvat et audit (The mob shouts praise to God, Who saves and listens to those whom He will). Scroll: Dicite Filie Syon (ecce salvator tuus venit (Tell the daughter of Sion: Behold thy Saviour cometh. Is 62.11). Tablet III/6: Top left: Temperantia (temperance). Agnus pascalis (Paschal lamb). Christi mactandus in formam clauditur agnus. The lamb to be slaughtered is hidden in the type of Christ. VIII. Tablet I/7: Rex Melchisedech. Vinum cum pane presul sacer intulit are (The holy priest brought wine with bread to the altar). Tablet II/7:Upper left: David: panem angelorum (manducavit homo) (man ate the bread of angels. Ps. 77.25. Upper right: Salomo: venite & comedite (panem meum, et bibite vinum quod miscui vobis) (Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you). Cena Domini (Lord's Supper). \j\ Bina Christus sub specie manibus fert ecce suis se (Behold under both species Christ holds Himself in his hands for Mis faithful). Tablet III/7: Upperleft: Karitas (charity). Upper right: Pietas (brotherly love). Man in urna aurea (Manna in the Golden Vessel). Man notat obscura clausum te Christe figura (The manna denotes You, O Christ, concealed in the dark type).

IX.

Tablet I/8: Occisio Abel (Slaying of Abel). Vipereo more cain abel perimit ore (In the manner of a viper Cain slays Abel with his mouth).

Tablet II/8. Upper left: David: Homo pacis meae i(n quo speravi, qui edebat panes meos magnificat super me supplantationem) (The man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, hath greatly supplanted me. Ps. 40.10). Iudas oscula) tur Dominum (Judas kIsses the Lord). Osculo te Christe tradit traditor iste. With a kiss, 0 Christ, this betrayer betrays You.

Tablet III/8: Upper left: Largitas (generosity). Occisio Abner (the slaying of Abner; 2 Sam. 3.26-27). Alloquitur blande Ioab hunc perimitque nefande (Joab speaks sneakily to him, and slays him sinfully).

X.

Tablet I/9: Oblatio Ysaac (The offering of Isaac). Victimet ut caram prolem pater aptat ad aram (The father prepares before the altar that he might sacrifice his dear son).

Tablet II/9: Upper left: post hec occidetur Christus(et non erit eius populus qui eum negaturus est). (And after this Christ shall be slain; and the people that deny Him shall be not His). Passio Domini (Passion of Our Lord). Victima mactatur qua nostra ruina levatur (The victim is slaughtered by which our fall is made good). Above the cross: Ihesus Nazarenus (Rex Iudaeorum).

Tablet III/9: Upper left: Sapiencia (Wisdom). Upper left, figure holding a scroll: Dominus possedit me (in initio viarum suarum) (The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His ways; before He made any thing from the beginning. Prov. 8.22). Botrus in vecte (The cluster on the pole). Vecte Crucis lignum botro Christi lege signum (In the cluster on the pole read the sign of Christ, the wood of the cross).

XI.

Tablet I/lO: Eva Tulit de fructu (Eve takes of the fruit). Innuit hoc factum Christum de stinite tractum (This deed indicates Christ taken from the rood).

Tablet II/lO: Upper left: Esayas: et erit sepulcrum eius gloriosum (And His sepulchre shall be glorious. Is. 11.10). Upper right: David: aruit tamquam t(esta virtus mea, et lingua mea adhaesit faucibus meis, et in pulverem mortis deduxisti me) (My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and mytongue hath cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death. Ps. 21.16). Deposicio Christi (Deposition of Christ). Hii corpus ducis tollunt ab arbore crucis (They take the body of the leader from the tree of the cross).

Tablet III/lO: Upper left: prudencia (prudence). Upper right: Sobrietas (sobriety). Deposicio regis Iericho (Joshua 8.29). Secundum legem deponit vespere regem (according to the Law, he takes the king down that evening). According to Deut. 21.22-3, a body must not be left hanging overnight.

XII.

Tablet I/ll: Ioseph in lacu (Joseph in the well). Hunc intrare lacum feritas facit emula fratrum (The envious savagery of his brothers forces him into the well).

Tablet II/ll: Top left: Salomo: ego dormio et c(or meum vigilat) (I sleep, and my heart watcheth. Song of Songs 5.2). Sepulcrum Domini (Grave of the Lord). Terre vita datur cui terra polus famulatur (The life which earth and heaven serve is given to the earth)

Tablet III/ll: Top left: Concordia (concord). Ionas in ventre ceti (Jonah in the belly of the whale). Quem capit unda freti concludunt viscera ceti (The insides of the whale enclose him whom the wave of the sea holds).

XIII.

Tablet I/12: Percussio Egipti (the plague of Egypt). Sanguine plebs postes munit necat angelus hostes (with blood the people protected the doorposts; the angel kills the enemies). Israelite making a T above the doorpost, the signum tau of Ezech. 9.6. Tablet II/12: Top left: Osee: ero mors tua o (mors, morsus tuus ero, inferne) (0 death, I shall be thy death; 0 hell, I shall be thy bite. Hos. 13.14). Destructio inferni (destruction of Hell). Ius domuit mortis tua Christe potencia fortis (Your strong power, O Christ, conquered the rule of death).

Tablet III/12: Top left; fortitudo (fortitude, note picture of jaws of lion). Samson cum leone (Sampson with the lion). Vir gerit iste tuam leo mortisChriste figuram (This man bears your type, O Christ, the lion that of death)

XIV.

Tablet I/13: Benedictiones Iacob (The blessings of Jacob). Nos redimens agnus ex Iuda fit leo magnus (In redeeming us, the lamb becomes the great lion of Judah) Scroll: Quis suscitabit eum (cf. Gen 49.8-9: Judah is a young lion ... and who will awaken him?).

Tablet II/l3: Upper left: David: terra tremuit (et quievit; cum exsurgeret in iudicium Deus) (The earth trembled and was still when God arose in judgment. Ps. 75.9-10). Upper right: David: Resurre ... Probably: Tu cognovisti sessionem meam et resurrectionem meam (Thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. Ps, 138.2). Agnus pascalis (the paschal lamb). Vitam dat tento triduo pater in monumento (the Father gives life to Him who lay three days in the tomb).

Tablet III/13: Upper left: Iusticia (Justice). Upper right: spes (Hope). Samson fert portas (Sampson carries the gates). Viribus extortas fert montis ad ardua portas (the gates which were torn out by his strength he carries to the height of the mountain). XV.

Tablet I/14: Translatio Enoch (The transportation of Enoch). Hic nece dilata venit ad loca luce beata (As his death was delayed, he came to the places blessed by light).

Tablet II/14: Top left: Ascendit (Deus in iubilo, et dominus in voce tubae) (God is ascended with jubilee: and the Lord with the sound of trumpet. Ps. 46.6) Ascensio Domini (Ascension of Our Lord). Terrea natura petit ethera non moritura (earthly nature which shall not die seeks the heavens).

Tablet III/14: Top left: fides (faith). Helias in curru igneo (Elijah in the fiery chariot). Digna Deo dignis hunc ad ioca subvehit ignis (The fire carries him up to joys worthy of God). Error in Latin, should be dignum hunc.

XVI.

Tablet I/15: Arca Noe. Quo fluit omne bonum lege pneumatis hac ave donum. (In this bird read the gift of the Spirit, from Whom flows all good).

Tablet II/15: Above left: Iohel: effundam de Sp(iritu meo super omnem carnem) (I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2.28). Adventus Spiritus Sancti. Omnigenis linguis dedit his fari deus ignis (The God)Fire gave to them to speak in all sorts of tongues).

Tablet III/15: Top left: Humilitas (humility). Top right: pacientia (patience). Mons Sinay. Ignea lex digne Moysim succendit igne (The fiery law inflamed Moses with proper fire). Scroll: Deus tuus Deus unus est (Thy God is one God. cf. Deut. 6.4).

XVII. Tablet I/16: De secundo adventu (On the Second Coming). Tempus erit luctus dum poscunt horrea fructus (It will be a time of sorrow when the barns demand their fruits). Scrolls: Colligite (primum) Zizania (et alligate ea in fasciculos) ad com (burendum) Triticum autem (congregate) in h(orreum) me(um). (Gather up first the cockle and bind it into bundles to burn, but the wheat gather ye into my barn. Mt. 13.30).

Tablet II/16: Upper left: Paulus: Canet enim tu(ba et mortui resurgent incorrupti. (For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall rise again incorruptible. 1 Cor. 15.52). Upper right: Sophonias: Dominus ad iudicium veniet (The Lord will come to judgment. Cf. Zephaniah 3.8). Angeli tubis canunt(Angels sound trumpets). Nos tuba quando ciet tunc quod cinis est caro fiet (When the tuba calls us, then that which is ashes will be made flesh).

Tablet III/16: Upper right: castitas (chastity). Mortui resurgunt (The dead arise). Quam manet occulta lanx surgit turba sepulta (The buried army, for whom the hidden scales awaits, arises).

XVIII.

Tablet I/18: Celestis Iherusalem (Heavenly Jerusalem). Sanctis summa quies pacis visio fies. (You shall become the highest peace for the saints, Vision of Peace).

Tablet II/18: Upper right: Amos. Iudicium sedit (He sits in Judgment). Pro se me passum videant iudex quibus assum (Let those over whom I am now Judge see Me, as I suffered for them).

Tablet III/18: Upper right: Veritas (truth). Infernus (Hell). Flamma reos punit hic quos scelus et locus unit (Here the flame punishes the guilty, those whom crime and place unites).