Illuminated Manuscripts......

Message 189 of 289

Some years back, I went to what is known in So Cal as the "old Getty" which is in Malibu off PCH, and in one room they had an interactive laser disk where the presenter (John de Lancie (yes, Q himself) described all about illuminated manuscripts, even how to make them.....the next room or two after several were on display.....

They used parchment or skin (like leather almost but I think cured differently) and the colors were vibrant, even after hundreds of years.....gold or silver colors were actually gold and silver.....numerous other colors had similar pedigree.....

Hand bound of course.....incredible craftsmanship.....no flash photography.....

Has anyone else seen illuminated manuscripts? What did you think of them? Ever try to make one, or want to try if possible?

Just a side.....this is pre-Gutenberg.....

posted by hershman

Replies 1 - 10 of 12

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I have never had the pleasure to see any in person, but thanks for this, Hersh. It is going on my bucket list.

If I had even a thread of artistic talent, I would love to try my hand at this. But then, of course, one would also need to have the art of caligraphy in one's bag of tricks, for what good would be one illuminated letter, without the rest of the text to set it off?

Some of the works cover an entire page.

posted by MartiInMexico
over 2 years ago

More lavish examples are embellished with 'historiated' initials, enlarged and colorful letters that contain tiny representations of figures or biblical scenes.

The pictures that illustrate the texts in a manuscript are called 'miniatures', not only because they are small, but because the Latin word miniare (to color with red lead) has been used since the Middle Ages to describe these illustrations.

posted by MartiInMexico
over 2 years ago

The New York Public Library possesses one of the largest and finest collections of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts.

posted by LifeLoveLaughter
over 2 years ago

do not know why, but i stayed out of the new york library. instead, spent a lot of time in the met. like

taking my time and walking thru museums.

posted by matchstich
over 2 years ago

These are beautiful. Made me go searching for other examples of this gorgeous artwork. I love the fact that Gutenberg made books available to the masses but what a shame this kind of craftmanship fell by the wayside.

posted by merlinsflame
over 2 years ago

Matchstich:

Did you get to visit the Cloisters Museum up on Riverside Drive. The displays are so beautiful and informative.

posted by pattiwatt
over 2 years ago

We used to go to the Cloisters fairly regularly when we lived in Queens . It was like stepping back in time to a more serene and spiritual world , and it was free ! .I have several albums of Gregorian chants that I still play sometimes on a cold Sunday morning , it is like going to church without the attached BS .

posted by Dirck
over 2 years ago

Gregorian chants! Oh, I love them, too, and have several sets. Really takes you to a special place.

posted by MartiInMexico
over 2 years ago

There was a time long ago.....when I was in school that we were taught "penmanship" and to write "Manuscript writing" in art classes. You could tell by my dads generation the handwriting was really wonderful. I learned to do manuscript but it took so long to do and I wrote long letters back in the days before email. So I adapted my writing to suit a bit quicker methods. Still I remember redoing a whole page if one letter was wrong. Do people still write letters? I do once in a blue moon.

posted by Espirit
over 2 years ago

This causes me to think of stained glass which could be loosely termed an illuminated manuscript. In my art dabblings I have learned to make stained glass items, compositions and windows. In terms of work it could be akin to illuminated manuscripts although a totally different process. One I am certainly not familiar with. Unfortunately real craftsmanship is for the most part lost to modern manufacturing techniques There are amazing examples in Firenze as well as the rest of Europe. Florence was if I remember correctly the original city within which the Medici's initially established their political power. There is in my opinion something spiritual, (if I may use the word) about creating something with one's hands.