Pericopes of Henry II

[1] Backgrounds are often composed of bands of colour with a symbolic rather than naturalistic rationale, the size of figures reflects their importance, and in them "emphasis is not so much on movement as in gesture and glance", with narrative scenes "presented as a quasi-liturgical act, dialogues of divinity".

[1] The plaque measures 11 by 5 inches and was made in Germany around the year 870, but was inserted into the cover of “Pericopes of Henry II” in the eleventh century.

[4] In the upper section, above the arms of the cross, there are traditional personifications of the sun, moon, and God's hand motioning from a cloud bank.

Under the arms of the cross, Ecclesia is seen with her chalice and standard, Longinus and Stephaton on either side of Christ, a group of grieving women, John, and ambiguous figures to the right.

[7] The details shown in the plaque and frame indeed give a sense of Christianity and the Carolingian age, which helped to influence the style and ways of interpreting these stories in other art pieces.