Illuminated Letters

What is an illumination?

Strictly speaking, illumination is decoration which uses gold, gold leaf or silver; however, the term is often used loosely to mean decorated or illustrated.

So…

An illumination is an embellishment, or additional decoration enhancing the written page.

The term, illumination, comes from the term “Illuminate”, or to fill with light.

The effect of light is achieved with the application of gold leaf to the letters and images, which reflect light and appear to glow.

Illumination

An Illuminated Letter was usually the first

letter of a page or paragraph.

was always enlarged and in color with gold applied in areas

the rest of the text remained black.

Images used to enhance

letters included animals,

plants and mythological

creatures

to fit into or around the letter

These images were modified

In some cases…

The image took on the shape of the letter itself.

Throughout the Middle AgesAll documents and books were

handwritten, called "manuscripts" - from the Latin words for hand (manu) writing (script)

“Manuscripts”were produced before printing ushered in the European Renaissance.

Writing and books were in the hands of the literate nobility, merchant upper class, and the Church.

Most books were made by monks and nuns in a monastic scriptorium, the room(s) reserved for producing books.

Because the recording of historical events was an important task, illuminations were ordered by kings and religious leaders to be added to various pages in order to add interest and importance to their appearance.

When were illuminations made?

Egyptianswere the first culture known to document events with illuminated manuscripts. The Book Of The Dead, dates back to 1310 B.C..

As written language developed, various countries adopted the idea of illuminating their manuscripts.

The tradition was carried on for hundreds of years into Medieval Europe during the Middle Ages.

By the 7th century, illuminations became

a highly respected art form.

At this time some of the most beautiful and famous illuminations were now being created in Ireland and England.

Who was Needed to Create Illuminations?

A parchementer to make the parchment from the animal skin.

A scribe to do the calligraphy (from the Greek beautiful [Kalli], writing [graphia]).

An illuminator who actually created the illuminated letters and other decorations on each page.

A bookbinder to sew the individual pages into a book format and make the leather binding.

Importance of Illuminationslluminations defined a time when the ability

to read was sacred and reserved for religious leaders or those born of royal blood.

ecause it took great skill to create such items of beauty and because these creations were so important, it was a great time in history for artists. For without their skills and talents such beautiful images might not have ever existed.

A Few Examples:

Grading Criteria

• The letter contains at least 3-4 colors.

• The letter contains adequate detail, with little to no “white space”.

• The letter uses decorative ornamentation that incorporates elements of nature.

• The images in the letter help to illustrate the concept you are trying to communicate.

• The work is neat and carefully executed; a ruler is used to draw straight lines.