The goldsmith and bishop Eligius of Noyon and the Merovingian kings
The special exhibition at the Coin Cabinet in Vienna, which opened in February, is dedicated to artists who worked in a courtly environment and created masterpieces in the form of medals and sculptures.
The exhibition starts with Eligius, who was active in the Frankish Empire in the 7th century - a long way from the other masters included, both in terms of time and space - as he was the first identifiable court artist with a connection to coinage and also the patron saint of numerous professions, including goldsmiths, engravers, mint masters and numismatists. Nevertheless, he remained largely unknown to the public.
Eligius had a remarkable career, which took him to the court of the Merovingian king Chlothar II († 629) in Paris as a goldsmith. After his death, he worked for his son and successor Dagobert I († 639), who entrusted him with the decoration of the abbey church of Saint-Denis near Paris. Eligius later became a bishop and is sometimes even referred to as a diplomat and social politician, which emphasises his close ties to the rulers.
Eligius was responsible for minting coins in Arles, Marseille and Paris in the years around 625/640, under Kings Clothar II, Dagobert I, Clovis II and Sigibert III. He belonged to the group of people who, from around 575/600 to around 700, used their own name and the title of monetarius in various abbreviations on Merovingian coins, which can be roughly translated as "chief representative for state coinage". Monetaries are probably not to be seen as private entrepreneurs or simple mint masters, but were "a socially and functionally elevated class of administrators at local level." Eligius' special position is becoming apparent, especially as there is no other monetary whose name is emphasised as prominently on coins.
Another special feature is the fact that around half of the surviving coins - perhaps 100 coins in total bear his name - bear the name of both king and monetar. A gold coin from the Berlin Coin Cabinet on display in the exhibition lists Clovis (II) († 657) with "CHLODOVEVS" on the obverse and "+ ELEGIV[S] MONETA[RIVS]" on the reverse, which reads “Eligius as monetar”.
In 640, Eligius was elected Bishop of Noyon-Tournai. As he entered the clergy wealthy, he was able to continue his charitable work as bishop. The redemption of numerous slaves should be emphasised. Eligius was also a builder of churches and monasteries, which also provided for men and women in need. His openly flaunted wealth was probably the result of the income from his estate near Limoges and his income as a monetar.
Even after his ordination as bishop, Eligius did not give up his craft or his workshop. Although his extensive legend of the saint emphasises his craftsmanship, the later saint's godly life is still at the forefront.
Exhibition "Imperial Impressions: The Emperors and their Court Artists" (since 13 February 2024) at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.
