Odo of Metz[a] orEudes of Metz (fl. c. 806 – c. 811) was a Frankish[1] architect, considered ofArmenian origin,[2][3] who lived in theCarolingian Empire duringCharlemagne's reign.[4]
Nothing is known of Odo's life, training or education. It is possible he was ofArmenian origin;[3][5][6] the tradition may stem from a perceived association between the innovative style of his works and early Armenian churches. There is no concrete evidence of his origins, however.[7]
The sole record of Odo's existence and work comes from a mention of him in an inscription commemorating Charlemagne, the text of which survives in the emperor'sVita ('life').[8] It says nothing of Odo's origin.
While there is no documentary evidence of Odo's background, his reputation as Armenian arose from a perception that the oratory he built atGermigny-des-Prés and the Armenian mother church,Etchmiadzin Cathedral, come from the same architectural tradition. There was already such a folk tradition present amongArmenians in France from the 19th century,[9] possibly influenced by this perception. The art historiansJosef Strzygowski and Soviet-ArmenianAlexander Sahinian strengthened the belief with their theories of the Armenian roots of Odo's architecture. Strzygowski's and Sahinian's theories were not widely accepted by scholarly consensus.[10][citation needed]
A report was made during the 1960s renovations of Aachen Cathedral, that a researcher had unearthed an inscribed stone, with Odo said to be mentioned in it as coming "from the region of Mount Ararat", (i.e. Armenia). No authenticated record of this inscription survives, and the location of the stone itself is unknown.[11]
Odo'sCarolingian architecture with polygonal-based domes and elaborate elevations are reminiscent of lateRoman architecture withByzantine style. In particular, his design for the Palatine Chapel, Aachen, was possibly modelled on theBasilica of San Vitale ofRavenna.[1] It is unknown whether he saw these buildings himself, or only drawings of them.
Odo may have had access to the extensive technical knowledge embodied in the classical workDe architectura through his connection to the royal court. The text ofVitruvius' treatise is known to have been copied and preserved in Charlemagne's courtscriptorium, and it is through theseCarolingian Renaissance-era manuscripts that the work survived, widely rediscovered in the Middle Ages, and down to modern times.[12][13]
Eudes of Metz is credited as the architect of:
L'arménien Eudes de Metz construisit la chapelle palatine d'Aix et l'église de Germigny-des-Prés.
In 806–811, the Armenian architect, Oton Matsaetsi, built the church of Germigny-des-Prés in France.
L'arménien Eudes de Metz construisit la chapelle palatine d'Aix et l'église de Germigny-des-Prés.
Eudes de Metz, the architect is said to have been Armenian.
Armenian stonemasons had long been known far and wide. In 806–811 Oton Matsaetsi built St. Germain-des Pres and the belfry of Charlemagne's palace in Aachen. Armenian influence spread further ...
Insignem hanc dignitatis aulam Karolus caesar magnus instituit; egregius Odo magister explevit; Metensi fotus in urbe quiescit
Its splendid calligraphy, and its dominant influence on the later tradition suggest that it might well have been written at the palace scriptorium of Charlemagne [at Aachen]. This is supported by the fact that the first two men to show any knowledge of Vitruvius after the Dark Ages areAlcuin, in a letter written to Charlemagne between 801 and 804, andEinhard, who in addition to his close association with the court, had a practical interest in building.
The Palatine Chapel of Aachen was built between 792 and 804 by Odon of Metz
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