The first creators of illuminated manuscripts were Christian monks in the medieval period. The Latin source words of the term suggest their function and facture: ‘illuminare’, to light up or illuminate, ‘manus’, hand, and ‘scriptus’, writing.
Books of Hours have been described as medieval bestsellers, precious family heirlooms and devotional objects, but what exactly are they? In our exhibition ‘Fragments of Devotion’, many of the images featured are taken from this type of manuscript.
Medieval manuscript marginalia have long fascinated scholars and the wider public alike. Far from being just decoration, these marginal illustrations offer critical insight into medieval thought, visual culture, and symbolic imagination.
The Victorian era witnessed a dramatic shift in the treatment of medieval manuscripts; from adoration to alterations. Medieval manuscripts were seen as curiosities to be cut up and became dismembered as a result.
Have you ever noticed the weird and whimsical figures and decorations around the edges of medieval manuscript pages and wondered why they are there?
Manuscripts remained intact for centuries; they endured wars, the Reformation and being passed down through generations – only to meet their match at the hands of the Victorians. Why did the 19th century’s greatest art-lovers become history’s most notorious biblioclasts? Let’s uncover the truth…
Books of Hours have been described as medieval bestsellers, precious family heirlooms and devotional objects, but what exactly are they? In our exhibition ‘Fragments of Devotion’, many of the images featured are taken from this type of manuscript.
A visual index of all documented cuttings.
Explore a list of terms used throughout this website.
As singing is a purposeful act, in which the devotee chooses to enunciate and alternate their voice, song becomes an effective way of connecting to the divine for faiths worldwide.