Medieval Manuscripts

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A manuscript is a book that is written and produced by hand. Considering that the medieval period manuscripts were handmade, each book that was made was unique with their own story to tell. Manuscripts were illuminated with lavish decorations such as, gold and silver. Illuminated manuscripts varied in type and quality. The decorated first initial of the text written was either made larger, written in different colored inks, or intricately designed. Along with the text, there would be illustrations to depict the story. Manuscript illumination offered viewers a glimpse into the medieval time period. The text written on the manuscripts and the pictures that went with the stories opened up exploration into the beliefs and values of the medieval …show more content…

As time went on, monasteries gradually increased in wealth and attendance. One manuscript of this time period was the Symbol of St. Matthew from the Book of Durrow. This manuscript was created ca. 680. It was made on tempera on vellum. It is 9 5/8 by 6 1/8.” It can be found in Trinity College in Dublin. This manuscript illustrates an ornamental pattern animating the figure while emphasizing its outward decoration. The body was composed of a checkerboard pattern. The head of the figure looks directly at the viewer. The feet of the figure were turned to the side. These two additions transformed this into a human figure. Another manuscript was the Lindisfarne Gospels. It was created ca. 700. It was made on tempera on vellum. Its dimensions were 13 ½ by 9 ¼ .” It can be found in The British Library in London. Because of a colophon at the end of this manuscript, the origin of the text from this manuscript is known. It was produced in Northumbria, England. Bishop Eadfrith painted the illustrations, supposedly. The Cross page for this manuscript was created by a miniaturist who poured into the geometric frame animal interlace with precision and jewelry. It was so dense, but at the same time, it was full of …show more content…

It was created in the second quarter of the ninth century. It was made with ink, gold, and colors on vellum. Its dimensions are 10 ¼ by 8 ¾ .” It can be found on Bibliothèque Municipale, Épernay, France. This one is less reflective of the more classical models, but it was also equally reliant on the older models. The subject was St. Matthew. This image is filled with vibrant energy with the colors depicted. The thickly painted drapery swirls around him. The hills are depicted going upwards. This manuscript is similar in style to the manuscripts of the Hiberno-Saxon manuscripts. This is shown through the way the artist communicates the energy with the flick of the pen design and the interlaced

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