Illuminated Manuscripts

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Illuminated Manuscripts
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Middle Ages

• The Middle Ages lasted from about 500 to the
  1400s. Thats about 500 to 1,600 years ago!
• Life in Europe during the Middle Ages was very
  hard for most people. Few people could read or
  write, and no one expected life to get better.
• During the Middle Ages, people took a lot of
  comfort from their religion. A lot of the art
  that we have from the Middle Ages depicts
  religious scenes.
• We dont have a lot of art from the Middle ages.
• It was a long time ago.
• Life was so hard that people didnt spend a lot
  of time pursuing art.

This picture is typical of art from the Middle
Ages. It shows a scene from a saints
life. What is happening in this picture? Do you
like this picture? What do you like about it?
What dont you like?
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• During the Middle Ages, books were very rare and
  very valuable. There were no libraries or
  bookstores.
• In fact, the only books were written by hand on
  very special paper. These books had
  illustrations, too. These books were called
  Illuminated Manuscripts.
• Some of the finest examples of art from the
  Middle Ages are found in Illuminated Manuscripts.
• A Manuscript is any document that is hand
  written.
• Illuminated describes the glow created by the
  radiant colors of the illustration especially
  gold silver.

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• The picture here shows a letter, and the letter
  contains a story that illustrates the text.
• What letter do you see in this picture?
• The letter A, formed by a slender, arching
  dragon.
• What is happening in this picture?
• A man is asking the king a question.
• The man goes to a family to tell them what the
  king said.

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• Most Illuminated Manuscripts were made from the
  800s to the 1500s.
• When these books were made, not everyone knew how
  to read.
• Clergy , noblemen merchants could read
• What do you notice about this page?
• How is this page like pages from a book today?
  How is it different?
• What are some of the colors used to paint the
  illumination on this page?
• Bright reds blues are colors typically used in
  illuminations.
• Notice all the gold used in this picture as well.
• What is happening in this picture?
• A scientist is presenting his findings to a king.
• How can you tell that this is a king?

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How an Illuminated Manuscript was Made
Making the Vellum

• Most illuminated manuscripts were written on
  specially treated animal skins called parchment
  or vellum.
• The skin was stretched as it dried so that it
  would be very thin, like paper. The vellum was
  then whitened with chalk. Finally, it was cut to
  the size needed for the book.
• Vellum was used because of its beautiful color
  and texture. It could withstand wear and tear,
  and it held up well to the inks that were used.

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Writing

• After the paper was prepared, the scribe, or
  writer, made ruling lines on the paper so that he
  could write neatly.
• Notice the red lines on this page.
• These lines helped the writer know where to write
  and where the art would be.
• The scribe wrote using a goose or swan feather
  that had been specially cut to be dipped in ink
  and used as a pen.

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Illumination

• After the writing was completed, the artist
  created the illumination.
• The artist first made an outline of the drawing
  in ink.
• Then the artist added the gold leaf by first
  painting the area to be gold with a sticky glue
  and then rubbing gold leaf onto the area. This
  created a shiny surface that sparkles in the
  light.
• The illuminator finally added the colors to the
  picture with hand- made paints.
• Often, many different illuminators worked on the
  same book.

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Binding

• After the writing and illumination were finished,
  the pages were bound into book form.
• First, all of the pages were put in order and
  then sewn together.
• Then, the pages were put between wooden boards.
  These boards were the books cover.
• The boards were then covered in leather or fabric
  and decorated with metalwork or jewels.

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Art in Action!

• Make your own page from an illuminated
  manuscript.
• Try to use the colors we saw today.
• Use both art and words.