The Egmond Gospels
The Egmond Gospels is a 9th-century illuminated vellum manuscript famous for its depiction of Count Dirk II and Countess Hildegard of 'Holland'. The two had their likenesses added in 975 and, more than 1,000 years later, they are the oldest surviving images of Dutch people.
A Gospel Book is a volume containing the four gospels from the Bible, the four accounts written by Jesus' disciples Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of their teacher's life, death and resurrection. The four books are all written in Latin – the language of the Catholic Church for centuries – and are a core part of the New Testament and indeed of Christianity as a whole.
Who were Dirk and Hildegard?
Dirk II (c. 932-988) was a Frisian count who ruled the area we now call North and South Holland from 965 until his death. Hildegard originally hailed from Flanders and married Dirk around 950.
We know that Dirk had a monastery with a stone abbey church built around 975 and that Dirk and Hildegard may have bestowed the manuscript on the church upon its consecration. In any case, it is clear that the count and his wife considered the donation a significant event, as they marked it by having two new illustrations included at the back of the manuscript, depicting themselves. These illustrations made Dirk and Hildegard famous: they are the oldest surviving images of Dutch individuals.
How to access the Egmond Gospels
You can access the Egmond Gospels online. Images of this work can be viewed at Wikimedia Commons. To arrange a viewing of the work itself, please contact the curator (Ed van der Vlist). The signature of this masterpiece is KW 76 F 1.