Donizo of Canossa, also known as Donize, was an Italian monk who became abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Sant'Apollo of Canossa in 1136. He was an avid writer and his most famous work was the Vita Mathildis (Life of Matilda), written between 1111 and 1115. It is divided into two books, the first concentrating on the ancestors of Matilda of Tuscany and their possession of the castle of Canossa, while the second focuses on Matilda (1046-1115) herself. She was a feudal ruler in Northern Italy. After being married twice, she became countess of Tuscany and owned a lot of land on either side of the Alps. She was a fierce supporter of Pope Gregory VII and the papacy against imperial claims. It was in her castle that King Henry IV, after walking bare-foot in the alps, sought forgiveness to Pope Gregory VII.
The Vita Mathildis is an important work concerning the Gregorian reform and the Investiture Controversy.
There are many many miniatures in the books. The latter are images, done by hand and with pigment, that show either religious figures or moments represented in the book. I will show two of these miniatures.
The first is the frontispiece, meaning that it is the illustration that is facing the book's title page. In the centre of the image is located Mathilda of Tuscany. She is seated and clearly the most important figure, as she is the biggest and is sitting on a massive throne. Furthermore, she is staring straight at the viewer, proving her strong stature. To her right is Donizo, offering her the Vita Mathildis, while to her left is a man with a sword, presumably a sort of body-guard.
Donizo is easily recognizable with his tonsure and brown cloak. Mathilda is dressed in the typical late-11th century fashion, namely a mantle over a gown with wide sleeves. Due to her richness, her mantle is purple and richly bordered with gold and gems. She has a high conical pileus (hat) on top of her veil and her shoes are made of golden leather. All in all, a pretty impressive sight!
The script at the bottom translates to " Resplendent Matilda, please accept this book, oh you dear one."
The second miniature is a scene between Matilda, Henry IV, and the Abbot Hugh of Cluny. This image emphasizes Mathilda's key role in the absolution of Henry IV at the castle of Canossa. Once again, Mathilda is sitting and her right hand is stretched outward. She is dressed in blue and gold, the same colours as the King. Her cloak is, once again, embroidered with gold and gems. Kneeling at her feet is Henry IV. He is depicted less important as the other two characters due to his smaller size. The abbot, dressed in his bright red robes and holding a stick in his left hand, is sitting down comfortably and pointing to Matilda. The script at the bottom translates to: " The King prays to the abbot, and pleads with Matilda".
Sources
Bennett, Judith M. Medieval Europe: A Short History. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
"Donizo." Wikipedia, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donizo.
"Donizone". Dressspace, 2011. http://www.dressspace.com/blog/2011/10/08/donizone/
"Matilda of Tuscany". Wikipedia, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matilda_of_Tuscany
The Vita Mathildis is an important work concerning the Gregorian reform and the Investiture Controversy.
There are many many miniatures in the books. The latter are images, done by hand and with pigment, that show either religious figures or moments represented in the book. I will show two of these miniatures.
The first is the frontispiece, meaning that it is the illustration that is facing the book's title page. In the centre of the image is located Mathilda of Tuscany. She is seated and clearly the most important figure, as she is the biggest and is sitting on a massive throne. Furthermore, she is staring straight at the viewer, proving her strong stature. To her right is Donizo, offering her the Vita Mathildis, while to her left is a man with a sword, presumably a sort of body-guard.
Donizo is easily recognizable with his tonsure and brown cloak. Mathilda is dressed in the typical late-11th century fashion, namely a mantle over a gown with wide sleeves. Due to her richness, her mantle is purple and richly bordered with gold and gems. She has a high conical pileus (hat) on top of her veil and her shoes are made of golden leather. All in all, a pretty impressive sight!
The script at the bottom translates to " Resplendent Matilda, please accept this book, oh you dear one."
The second miniature is a scene between Matilda, Henry IV, and the Abbot Hugh of Cluny. This image emphasizes Mathilda's key role in the absolution of Henry IV at the castle of Canossa. Once again, Mathilda is sitting and her right hand is stretched outward. She is dressed in blue and gold, the same colours as the King. Her cloak is, once again, embroidered with gold and gems. Kneeling at her feet is Henry IV. He is depicted less important as the other two characters due to his smaller size. The abbot, dressed in his bright red robes and holding a stick in his left hand, is sitting down comfortably and pointing to Matilda. The script at the bottom translates to: " The King prays to the abbot, and pleads with Matilda".
Sources
Bennett, Judith M. Medieval Europe: A Short History. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011.
"Donizo." Wikipedia, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donizo.
"Donizone". Dressspace, 2011. http://www.dressspace.com/blog/2011/10/08/donizone/
"Matilda of Tuscany". Wikipedia, 2015. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matilda_of_Tuscany
