Pericopes of Henry III, the scriptorium at Echternach (detail), c. 1040. Bremen, Universitätsbibliothek Codex Ms.b.21.
A two-morning short course by Dr Sally Dormer, Director of the Early Medieval Year Course at the V&A, offering a detailed study of illuminated manuscripts, some of the most beautiful and numerous artifacts to survive from the Middle Ages, but which, historically, were often kept out of sight in private collections.
Study Morning I - Includes two lectures, Q&A and a coffee break. Tickets £20
Lecture one: Parchment and Pigments: Making an Illuminated Manuscript
Prior to the invention of printing in the late 15th century, medieval books were written, decorated and bound by hand. They provide fascinating insights into the work of scribes and artists, many of whom, until the beginning of the 13th century, were monks working in monastery cloisters, and thereafter, more typically, laymen employed in urban workshops.
This session will chart the production of an illuminated book, from the transformation of animal skins into parchment to the copying of texts, the painting and gilding of miniatures, initials, and borders, with precious pigments and gold leaf or paint, and finally the binding of pages into book form between wooden covers, embellished, on occasion, by precious materials.
Coffee Break (15 minutes)
Lecture two: Imperial Books and their Covers: From Charlemagne to Henry II
Books belonging to the Carolingian and Ottonian emperors were amongst the most sumptuous ever produced, including magnificent Bibles and Psalters, Gospel Books with purple pages, texts in gold and silver ink, and covers with precious metalwork, gemstones, and ivory. Some were intended for public use in palatine chapels, while others functioned as private volumes for personal devotion. Illustrations in these luxury volumes demonstrate how aspirations of imperial power and authority were conveyed, in visual form, to those fortunate enough to have access to them.
To book for Week Two of this course, please click here.
Proceeds from our ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for three weeks afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.