1. Illuminations Medieval Manuscripts Up until the end of the Middle Ages, when the art of printing first allowed a measure of mass production, books were made by hand one at a time. Every manuscript is therefore unique: even when the scribes and artists copied a model text or image, the result is marked by their own taste and training, not to mention the wishes of their patron. The medieval manuscripts that survive are also precious because of the mere fact of being old; they are witnesses to a culture which prevailed a long time ago (from about AD 500 to AD 1500) and strongly influenced the world in which we now live. In addition to transmitting the texts which interested people at that time, many of these manuscripts still provide much aesthetic pleasure, due to their fine layout and script, and of course, the illuminations.

2. Types of Illuminations An illumination is a decoration of manuscripts and books with coloured, gilded pictures, decorated initials, and ornamental borders An illumination is a decoration of manuscripts and books with coloured, gilded pictures, decorated initials, and ornamental borders Done as both ink outlines and colour drawings Done as both ink outlines and colour drawings Now called Gothic stylings Now called Gothic stylings La Cité de Dieu by Saint Augustine, translated and with commentary by Raoul de Praelles France, Paris, c. 1408–10 The Orosius Master and His Workshop

3. Types of Illuminations Illuminating is the art of decorating books with bright colors and precious metals so they seem to glow Illuminating is the art of decorating books with bright colors and precious metals so they seem to glow An illumination can also be an illustration of folios (Large sheets of paper folded numerous times to create a booklet) and codices An illumination can also be an illustration of folios (Large sheets of paper folded numerous times to create a booklet) and codices

4. Types of Illuminations One common feature of illuminations were large initial letters decorated with foliage, human figures, and scenery One common feature of illuminations were large initial letters decorated with foliage, human figures, and scenery

5. Types of Illuminations An independent painting was called a miniature An independent painting was called a miniature Miniatures were always added after the text was finished Miniatures were always added after the text was finished Many illuminations were miniature paintings or drawings Many illuminations were miniature paintings or drawings

6. Characteristics of Illuminations In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, people liked to use illustrations of fruit, flowers, and birds in their artwork In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, people liked to use illustrations of fruit, flowers, and birds in their artwork Falcon Hunting in the Month of May BesançonBesançon, 1250-1300 Miracles de Notre Dame, Gautier de Coinci. France de l'Est1250-1300

7. Types of Illuminations Many artists worked with natural animal, mineral, and vegetable mediums in their paint Many artists worked with natural animal, mineral, and vegetable mediums in their paint Especially prized to illuminators was a brilliant shade of blue made from lapis-lazulite (a precoius gem) Especially prized to illuminators was a brilliant shade of blue made from lapis-lazulite (a precoius gem) Jewels were sometimes embedded into the artwork Jewels were sometimes embedded into the artwork La Voie de Povreté ou de Richesse (Le Livre du Chastel de Labour) by Jacques Bruyant France, Paris or possibly Rouen, c. 1430–40 The Workshop of the Bedford Master

8. Characteristics of Illuminations Drolleries were amusing human or animal figures that were often painted into the margins and borders of illuminations Drolleries were amusing human or animal figures that were often painted into the margins and borders of illuminations Illuminations were often used to frame documents Illuminations were often used to frame documents

9. Characteristics of Illuminations Illuminators used real gold and silver in their decorations Illuminators used real gold and silver in their decorations Illuminations were often written on parchment or vellum Illuminations were often written on parchment or vellum –The finest kind of parchment available –A specially prepared animal skin Traditional high color and gold was often used in illuminations Traditional high color and gold was often used in illuminations

10. Characteristics of Illuminations Illuminations were noted for marginal Celtic designs that consisted of Interlacing patterns, counterpointed by actual animal motifs Illuminations were noted for marginal Celtic designs that consisted of Interlacing patterns, counterpointed by actual animal motifs

11. History of Illuminations The earliest illuminations were ideas copied from Ancient Egyptian artwork The earliest illuminations were ideas copied from Ancient Egyptian artwork Illuminations helped influence later western art Illuminations helped influence later western art They were often done by monks and nuns They were often done by monks and nuns Illuminations also helped contribute to the development of calligraphy and handwriting Illuminations also helped contribute to the development of calligraphy and handwriting They began to be replaced by woodblock printing in the late sixteenth century They began to be replaced by woodblock printing in the late sixteenth century

12. History of Illuminations In the early middle ages to illuminate meant only the enlargement of the first letter or opening phrases on important documents In the early middle ages to illuminate meant only the enlargement of the first letter or opening phrases on important documents Illuminations were at their peak in the late Middle Ages Illuminations were at their peak in the late Middle Ages

13. History of Illuminations The most common documents illuminated were bibles, prayer books, chronicles, romance novels, poetry, and important letters The most common documents illuminated were bibles, prayer books, chronicles, romance novels, poetry, and important letters The art of illuminating flourished during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance The art of illuminating flourished during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance –Charlemagne Noah's Ark, one of three roundels illustrating the opening chapter of Genesis. University of Pennsylvania, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Rare Book and Manuscript Library, MS Codex 236, fol. 30v

14. Works Cited http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/ middleages/illuminations/illuminations.htm l http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/ middleages/illuminations/illuminations.htm l http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/ middleages/illuminations/illuminations.htm l http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/schools/projects/ middleages/illuminations/illuminations.htm l http://www.leavesofgold.org/gallery/litera ry/literary02.html http://www.leavesofgold.org/gallery/litera ry/literary02.html http://www.leavesofgold.org/gallery/litera ry/literary02.html http://www.leavesofgold.org/gallery/litera ry/literary02.html http://www.nd.edu/~medvllib/facsimiles.h tml http://www.nd.edu/~medvllib/facsimiles.h tml