(TMR 99.06.17)

<i>Hildegard von Bingen 1098-1179</i>.  Hans-Juergen Kotzur, ed. 
Written by Winfried Wilhelmy and Ines Koring.  Mainz: Verlag
Philipp von Zabern, 1998.  Pp. xii + 352.  225 colored plates, 27
b/w illus.  78 DM (About US$ 42.00) (cloth) ISBN 3-805-32398-0.

   Reviewed by Albrecht Classen
University of Arizona
aclassen@u.arizona.edu

Roughly beginning with the publication of the catalogue for the
Stuttgart exhibition on the Hohenstaufen in 1977, this unique
genre has emerged as a major forum for a vast number of scholars
to contribute to a special topic from a variety of disciplines. 
Following the Hohenstaufen exhibition, those dedicated to Emperor
Charles IV (1978) and Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia (1981), among
many others, have proven that catalogues prepared for major
exhibitions easily can achieve high scholarly standards.
Commemorating the mystic Hildegard von Bingen's 900th
anniversary, an exhibition was organized in Mainz which was also
accompanied by a catalogue.  Even a superficial scanning of its
content quickly demonstrates that this publication follows the
high standards of its predecessors, as the outstanding quality of
the visual material and the wide spectrum of topics discussed
pertaining to Hildegard's life confirm.  A large number of
scholars have contributed to this volume which is the result of
considerable cooperation among various disciplines.

Nothing needs to be said about Hildegard von Bingen herself who
is highly acclaimed as a mystic, as musical composer, writer,
medical doctor, and preacher.  The catalogue contains specialized
articles about Hildegard's life (Ines Koring) and her impact on
posterity until today (Helmut Hinkel).  Barbara Stuhlmeyer
discusses Hildegard's contributions to music; Scholastika Steinle
examines her mystical visions; Peter Walther explores Hildegard's
theology; Winfried Wilhelmy introduces her texts about herbs and
medicines, and finally Wilhelmy also outlines Hildegard's
perception of sexuality, pregnancy, and birth.

Since not many historical documents have been preserved from
Hildegard's time -- the convents of Disibodenberg and Rupertsberg
lie in ruins today or, respectively, have disappeared completely
--, and not many objects which might have belonged to her are
still extant, the exhibition was faced with a difficult task. 
As the catalogue indicates, however, this task was handled well
as the organizers combined contemporary manuscripts,
illustrations, and objects with those which were created
posthumously in honor of or in admiration of Hildegard.  These
include: a tomb cover from the twelfth century, a crucifix from
the last third of the eleventh century, bibles and psalters,
sculptures, chalices, stones, carved capitals, stone portals,
historical documents, seals, textiles, pottery, coins, the royal
insignia of the German kings (crown, scepter, apple, lance, and
cross), the bust of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, and so forth.

As to be expected for a scholarly catalogue, each item is
thoroughly discussed, and the relevant research literature is
provided as well.  The individual articles highlighting specific
aspects of Hildegard's life primarily aim at assembling the
relevant information, but at times and quite unfortunately shy
away from entering a critical examination, insinuating that no
questions remain.  The short essay by Scholastika Steinle on
Hildegard's visions does not illustrate the phenomenon well,
whereas Peter Walter's examination of Hildegard's theology covers
most of the relevant issues.

Posterity quickly strove to credit Hildegard with sanctity, but
all efforts to canonize her eventually failed.  Nevertheless, her
popularity as a saintly woman grew over the centuries, and by now
in the late twentieth century she has gained an enormous
reputation both among scholars and the lay audience, as Helmut
Hinkel outlines in admirable detail.  Many times stained glass,
liturgical objects, crosses, sculptures, illustrations, and
posters portray Hildegard and represent this continuous surge in
fascination with this medieval mystic.  The color plates and
black and white illustrations included here beautifully document
both the particular achievements by Hildegard and by posterity
from the twelfth through the twentieth century.

At the end the catalogue contains modern German translations of
excerpts from Hildegard's works, accompanied by a vast number of
first-rate illustrations.  Throughout the entire volume the
editors successfully combine pictures with text and so have put
together a highly informative collection of critical essays with
relevant photos of objects, manuscripts, textiles, stained
glasses, and sculptures.  It is only deplorable that the volume
is not accompanied by a CD containing both the illustrations and
musical performances.  Undoubtedly, this catalogue represents a
worthy contribution to Hildegard research and makes it also
easily accessible to the lay audience.