Theophilus and De Diversis Artibus

The treatise "Concerning the Various Arts" written by a monk using the pseudonym Theophilus, a Greek word meaning "love for God," is a practical manual on painting, glass making (including enamels), and metalwork. The prose style, philosophical outlook, social commentary on schools and commerce, as well as technical details suggest that the work was written in the first half of the twelfth century. The emphasis on metallurgy and the location of the two earliest manuscripts dating from circa 1150, as well as the few vernacular words found in the text suggest that this treatise was written in northwest Germany. From this evidence, scholars have associated Theophilus with the artist Roger of Helmershausen, who lived during the same period and whose associated works appear to follow the instructions provided in the manual. While the original manuscript does not survive, there are eight copies still extant, which tell us that the manuscript was widely distributed.

The prologue to the treatise tells us that human skill, a gift given by God, should be directed toward the His service, and that failure to make use of such a skill as granted by God is both lazy and foolish. Moreover, beautiful and precious objects are not to be despised but to be appreciated in and of themselves, for God has provided the materials on this earth with which to make them. Interestingly, Theophilus describes which countries were best known for certain arts: Greece for its many colors of paint and mosaics, Russia for niello, Arabia for repoussé, cast work, and engravings, Italy for its gilt vessels, gem, carving and ivories, France for windows, and Germany for metal, wood, and stonework. Finally, it should be noted that Theophilus emphasizes his own humility both literally in the prologue as a monk "of many" in the service of God, in the manner in which he leaves his specialization toward the last part of the book, and insofar as he asks that those who use the manual pray especially for God's mercy.

Primary source:
Theophilus, The Various Arts De Diversis Artibus, ed. and translated by C.R. Dodwell, Oxford, 1986.

Comparanda:
Roger of Helmershausen reliquary: in Hermann Deckert, ed. Religiöse Kunst aus Hessen und Nassau, vol. II, no. 157, and vol. III plates 245b-250, and plates 240-45a.

Censer: Tonnochy, "A Romanesque Censer-cover in the British Museum" Archaeological Journal vol. LXXXIX 1933, pp. 1-16.


Theophilus:
prologue: pp. 1-4 (Latin and English)
Book II: i-ix, xvii-xxix for stained glass
Book III: LIV for enamels
Book III: XXVI-LVII for chalice
Book III: LXI-LXIII for the cast censer