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Illuminated Manuscripts
Illuminated manuscripts are among the most beautiful, precious and mysterious works of Western art. Before the printing press was invented, books were produced by hand, and their illustration using brightly colored pigments and gold embellishments was a labor of love and an act of piety in itself. The results are stunning. The works emanating from the scriptoria of monasteries were mainly religious texts, including illuminated bibles, psalters, and works for private devotion known as books of hours.
Illuminated Manuscripts describes the origin and history of illumination in the Middle Ages, covering the artists and their techniques, and the patrons who commissioned them. It explains the subject matter found in medieval works, such as saints and Bible stories and the use of ornamental flourishes, and is illustrated with many fine examples of the genre including the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.
Illuminated Manuscripts describes the origin and history of illumination in the Middle Ages, covering the artists and their techniques, and the patrons who commissioned them. It explains the subject matter found in medieval works, such as saints and Bible stories and the use of ornamental flourishes, and is illustrated with many fine examples of the genre including the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.
64 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 8, 2018
приємна базова книжка про манускрипти: виготовлення описане, основні жанри вказані, терміни пояснені, ілюстрації численні й дуже гарні. хороша точка відліку, щоб почати цікавитися сердньовічними кодексами, тим більше, що автор розсипає текстом цікавинки: наприклад, про іспанську черницю, щодо якої точно знаємо, що вона ілюструвала апокаліпсис (нетипово як із гендерного боку, так і тому, що імен скрипторів і мініатюристів загалом збереглося не дуже багато); чи про те, що келлська книга містить найдавніше знане не іконописне зображення богородиці з дитям; чи про те, що автори давніх бестіаріїв вважали, що бобри в миті небезпеки відрізають собі тестикули й кидаються ними в нападників, і примудрялися знайти тут паралель із поведінкою доброчесних християн (але, мабуть, не в тому, про що ви подумали).
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May 30, 2024Very interesting and a good if not brief stepping stone for additional reading if you have an interest in medieval art, books and publishing from a historical angle or the history of Christianity and the Schism. You don't have to be religious to appreciate the history. Also mentions briefly how reading (due to levels of literacy at the time) used to be used as a demonstrative act of devotion.
Not particularly accessible if you're dyslexic as the writing was slightly cluttered but overall marked the hallmarks in the history of illuminated manuscripts.
Not particularly accessible if you're dyslexic as the writing was slightly cluttered but overall marked the hallmarks in the history of illuminated manuscripts.
February 6, 2021
A very short and concise booklet that gives us a quick and informative introduction to illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages. Very well done. Includes several suggestions on n where to go online, where to read further and where to go to see actual examples of these famous handmade artistic books.
September 27, 2022
Perfect little book! The art work alone is worth it. A wonderful summary on the topic! I might tear it apart and frame some pages.
September 4, 2019
A Great Little Book
A great little book, little meaning small in size, portable and a lovely read. I read it through in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I recommend it to everyone. Especially good to read on a picnic.
A great little book, little meaning small in size, portable and a lovely read. I read it through in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I recommend it to everyone. Especially good to read on a picnic.
August 4, 2019
A fascinating book with lovely illustrations from illuminated manuscripts.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews