Illuminated manuscripts were handwritten texts from 400-1500 AD decorated with gold, paintings, and colored inks. They were created by monastic scribes to spread Christianity and literacy throughout Europe. Scribes would prepare parchment pages and leave spaces for illuminators to add artwork. Though time-consuming and expensive to produce, illuminated manuscripts effectively recorded history and increased knowledge for many audiences before the printing press.

2. illuminated Manuscripts Prof.Brzl Group #2

4. What are they? -the word “Illuminated” means to be lit up or enlightened -deriving from the gold embedded in the artwork and the enlightening man receives from the sacred writings

5. 3 What are they? -a vehicle to bring Christianity and literacy to Celtic and Germanic tribes

6. 3 Where are they found?

7. 3 Where are they found? -papyrus precursors found in Byzantine empire and Egypt -First manuscripts found in Ireland and Italy -flourished THROUGHOUT Europe during renaissance

8. 3 When were they found? -Earliest date back to 400 AD until 15th cen. -incunabulum period handwritten manuscripts Phased out in the infancy of the printing press from 1452 - 1500 ad

9. Who made them? -Monastic scribes and the aristocracy -they were copiers and artists -apprentices and pupils of the “master writers” -Later secular works were commissioned to professional scribes

10. 3 Who made them? -held power in society and felt closer to God "You write with the pen of memory on the parchment of pure conscience, scraped by the knife of Divine fear, smoothed by the pumice of heavenly desires, and whitened by the chalk of holy thoughts. The ruler is the Will of God. The split nib is the joint love of God and our neighbor. Coloured inks are heavenly grace. The exemplar is the life of Christ.” sermon of 12th century English Bishop

23. Social context = 3-4 pages -a big book like bible would take entire herd of hides