Illuminated letters are embellished letters that enhance written text, notably using gold leaf to reflect light. Originating in the Middle Ages, these manuscripts featured stunning illustrations and decorations, predominantly in Christian texts. Various types of illuminated letters exist, including ornamented, historiated, and inhabited letters, each serving to draw attention to significant information.

1. ILLUMINATED
LETTERS
by
Bernard E. Richardson
Master Teacher|Art Educator
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021

2. WHAT IS AN ILLUMINATED LETTER?
An Illuminated letter is an embellished or stylized letter which enhances the written page.

3. WHAT IS AN ILLUMINATED LETTER?
• The effect of light is achieved by
applying gold leaf to areas of the letters
and images that make up the design so
it reflects light and appear to glow.
GOLD LEAF: Extremely thin sheets of gold
with a foil like quality.
The word “Illuminate” means:
“to fill with light” or “to light up”.

4. HISTORY OF ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS
• During the Middle Ages (5th – 15th Century) Monks living in
Monasteries in Western Europe, transcribed ancient
literature into highly decorated scripts or texts called
Illuminated Manuscripts.
• ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS, were hand written books
with brightly painted decorations and illustrations some of
which are painted in gold to make them ‘light up’ or
appear to glow or shimmer.
• These books were usually on Christian scripture or practice.

5. TYPES OF ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS
Example: The book of
Kells
Example: The Winchester
Bible
Example:
Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de
Berry
(Irish &
English Manuscripts)
(Romanesque
Manuscripts)
(Gothic Manuscripts)

6. CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ILLUMINATED LETTER
DROP CAP: The first letter of the paragraph which is written
larger than the rest of the text.
An Illuminated letter is usually the first letter of the page or paragraph.
• The letter is highly stylized and or decorated to
enhance the appearance of the written page.
• It is always enlarged and in colour with gold applied in
areas while the rest of the text is in black.
• It is also called a DROP CAP
.

7. DESIGNS OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS
These images included mainly:
i. Animals ii. Plants
Images were used to illustrate or enhance the Illuminated letters created:
iii. Mythical/Mythological
creatures

8. DESIGNS OF ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS
• In creating designs, the images used were modified to :
• Fit into and around the
letter
• Take the shape of the
letter

9. KINDS OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS
• There are different kinds of Illuminated letters. They are:
i. Ornamented letters
ii. Historiated letters
iii. Inhabited letters

10. • They were the first types of illuminated letters used.
• These letters are made / designed using fancy designs in order to attract attention
to the important information in the manuscripts/books.
• They don’t include pictures of other things
KINDS OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS
1. ORNAMENTED letters

11. • These letters are larger than others on the page and are transformed into a scene.
• They scene created is a picture that is inspired by what is happening in the
text/story.
KINDS OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS
2. HISTORIATED letters

12. • These letters which contain an illustration of figures (human, animals or
mystical creatures) that are decorative only without forming a subject.
KINDS OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS
3. INHABITED letters

13. REFERENCES
• Barbara Soojian https://www.pinterest.com/bsoojian/illuminated-letters/ 20/11/2021,
• Christabel Anderson. 2021.Authenticity in sacred art: Orthodox Art Journal,
https://orthodoxartsjournal.org/christabel-anderson-authenticity-in-sacred-art/ 20/11/2021
• Mrs. Lundgren’s Art Room – Illuminated Letter https://lundgrenart.weebly.com/illuminated-
letter1.html 21/11/2021
• Teichman , Mary. 2017. Illuminated letters. https://www.mtcalligraphy.com/illuminated-letters
21/11/2021
• Roser, Nicole. Medieval Art Lesson – Illuminated letters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-
F4tFfDG70 23/11/2021
• https://www.fromoldbooks.org/Racinet-Ornament/pages/099-001-anglo-saxon-initial-b/
23/11/2021
• J. Paul Getty Trust. 2007. The decorated letter.
https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/decorated_letter/ 23/11/2021.

14. THE END