Architecture in the Design and Content of the Odbert Psalter (Boulogne-sur-mer, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 20)

The Odbert Psalter, made c. 1000 at Saint-Bertin, opens with Davidic imagery and includes innovative historiated initials containing scenes from the life of Christ. That imagery and the texts of the Odbert Psalter are written, drawn, and painted according to the logic of a building and are replete with architectural themes. This thesis considers how and why Odbert and the other architects of the Psalter created this manuscript as a figurative building. That design is not only conducive to the devotional and educational uses of the Psalter, but also to expression of Christ's place at the heart of scripture. The Psalter was the central devotional text in the monastic life, comprising the majority of the Divine Office and thus structuring the daily life of a monk. For the monks of Saint-Bertin, the Psalter was an ideal site to express the Christological doctrines central to their beliefs and practices.