Medieval Art
Illuminations
Illuminations
are in many hand-made manuscripts created during the Middle Ages. (The term
“manuscript” translates from Latin as “made by hand.”)
They were highlighted in gold and silver leaf and painted in bright colors,
so there appeared to be a light within-thus came the term “illumination”.
Monks transcribed
and decorated illuminated manuscripts. Their work was carried out in monasteries
all over Europe in specialized rooms called scriptoria. Scriptoria's were
not the height of comfort; conditions were often cramped, cold, and dark.
The monks painstakingly prepared pigments as well as parchment and vellum
for their work, (as paper had not yet been developed), and their work was
very specialized. One group produced parchment and vellum, a second group
decorated the manuscripts with designs and paintings known as miniatures (or
illuminations), another did the writing, and the last group bound the pages
into books.
Illumination thrived
in the Middle Ages until the end of the fifteenth century. With the printing
press was invented, illumination was replaced with woodblock printing. Instead
of dying quickly, beautiful and inspired work poured out, as the artists sensed
an era of competition against the printing press. As the demand for books
increased, and printing became more industrialized, the hand-made illuminated
books looked obsolete.
Illuminated books
are now looked at as unique and wonderful treasures. Today, Illumination is
being revisited as an art form, nurtured by an appreciation for a hand-created
work, and a love of calligraphy.
The Influence of Art in the Medieval Churches
In the medieval times, most people could not read or write. In many of the Medieval churches and cathedrals, the priests and monks used art such as paintings, stained glass windows, and sculpture to teach and remind the people of Bible lessons.
Pictures from: http://www2.art.utah.edu/cathedral/par_s.html
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