Hugo d'Oignies

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Brother Hugo of Oignies from a silver book cover he created (1228-1230)
Book cover of an Evangeliary by Hugo of Oignies, 1228-1230.

Hugo of Oignies (

Meuse Valley of his time.[2]

Life

In 1187 Hugo helped to found what became the

Nicholas of Myra near Oignies in the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Little is known of Hugo himself before 1228, when his works at the priory were first noted. He trained as a goldsmith, was a master scribe, and a miniaturist. He signed many of his works. In circa 1230, Hugo produced a manuscript and silver book covers for the monastery. The book cover contains depictions of Hugo and St. Nicolas, the monastery's patron saint.[3]

During a visit to the priory in 1228 or 1229 to

monstrances, and other objects of worship, of which three signed pieces still exist.[1]

In his work, the human figure merges with the technical virtuosity with which the artist treats the decor's watermarks, crimping delicate cabochons. He provided works of art for the monastery. These included liturgical objects such as crosses, chalices and other religious artifacts which are considered to be masterpieces of metalwork.[4][5]

Legacy

When the priory was overrun and the community of

Nazi invasion of Belgium at the start of World War II
threatened the convent and its treasure, it was moved and escaped the destruction of the convent. After the reconstruction of the convent buildings, the treasure was returned to the Sisters, who placed it in a specially-equipped room in their convent, one of the smallest museums in the world.

In early 2010 they were moved again, this time to the Provincial Museum of Ancient Arts in Namur.

The Encyclopædia Britannica says of his contribution to Gothic metalwork, "The growing naturalism of the 13th century is notable in the work of Nicholas' follower Hugo d’Oignies, whose reliquary for the rib of St. Peter in Namur (1228) foreshadows the partly crystal reliquaries in which the freestanding relic is exposed to the view of the faithful; it is decorated with Hugo’s particularly fine filigree and enriched by naturalistic cutout leaves and little cast animals."[6]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0-19-518948-3
    . Retrieved 28 July 2012.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8018-7823-7
    . Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  3. ISBN 978-0-8020-7711-0
    . Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  4. ISBN 978-0-7614-7890-4
    . Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  5. ISBN 978-0-7603-1869-0
    . Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Hugo d'Oignies". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 1 August 2012.

Bibliography

  • Doumont, Danièle. Le fabuleux trésor d'Hugo d'Oignies, l'une des sept merveilles de Belgique exposée à Namur, Mémoires, La Lettre mensuelle, 2003
  • Collet, Emmanuel. Le trésor d'Oignies,
    ISBN 978-2-87212-666-8

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