A Work of Art, The Medieval Manuscript and The Book of Hours

Illuminated lettering in Book of Hours- the colors are amazing in the artwork!

I don't know about you students, but I love books. In fact, I love books as much as I love art, seriously, I know I am crazy! I love the written word and its power to ignite or inflict. How do you use your words, spoken or written? Do you fill others with life with your words or death with your words?

During the Middle Ages, a book or manuscript, as it was called, was precious and rare! Why? Because not everyone could own one. The process to create a manuscript was painstakingly long and it passed several skilled and cleverly, creative, hands before it was finished. Please be able to tell me who these craftsmen were for class time. 

Some manuscripts were aesthetically valuable because they were often encrusted with precious and semi-precious stones and metals like gold and etched, silver. However, it also contained information that empowered the reader who owned it and could read it, This made it invaluable!

This first video is all about manuscripts as an art form.  

The next two are specifically on the Book of Hours and how they are made and used.

Here are some covers and inside pages illuminated with incredible artwork.As you look at these pictures of covers, letter art and illumination art be thinking through the design elements and page layouts that you like best.

Our assignment for this model is to create our own Book of Hours to house our calligraphy, calligraphy projects and our relic cards. How will you design your cover? Will it have a motif in the middle or something to occupy each corner? You can research on your own as well if you wish. You will be given some materials during class including: f aux leather, grommets, decorative paper and gems. I invite you to use your imagination and embellish it with things that you might have at home too.

One projects for our Book of Hours will be to create illuminated letter art. This might be used on your cover as a motif or to decorate an inside page. You get to decide, but be sure to include a space for  this in your preliminary design!

Embossed Gold and precious stones with leather binding

Tooled leather in a Celtic Knot pattern, look how small this book is about 5 in.

Leather, embossed silver, hand painted miniature medallions

 Detail photo front cover of the Lindau Gospels

the back cover of the Lindau Gospel etched and embossed gold precious stones and enameling

Marie de Medici of Italy, Book of Hours- Velvet with silver metal embroidery work 

All photos from Google images for educational purposes

Kahn Acadamy  a beginner's guide to medieval Europe for information and additional videos