Vienna Coronation Gospels

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The Vienna Coronation Gospels, also known as the Treasury Gospels (Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Weltliche Schatzkammer) is a late 8th Century illuminated Gospel Book. Traditionally, it is considered to be the same manuscript that was found in the tomb of Charlemagne when it was opened in the year 1000 by Otto III. It is a large square codex. The leaves of the manuscript are dyed purple, and the text is written in gold ink. The manuscript is decorated with impressionistic paintings in a style derived from Byzantine art. In the margin of the first page of the Gospel of Luke the Greek name Demetrius presbyter is written in gold capital letters. This may be the signature of the scribe or illuminator and may indicate that there were Byzantine artists in the court of Charlemagne.