55
. LES TRÈS RICHES HEURES. Water
THE ART OF THE
ILLUMINATED
MANUSCRIPT
The Latin for hand, ‘manus’, and for
writing ‘scriptum’, gives us the word
manuscript. The most luxurious
manuscripts were illuminated - lit up by
decorations and pictures in brightly
coloured pigments and burnished gold leaf.
They are among the most dazzling and
intriguing objects ever created.
Although paper was available in southern
Europe from the 12th Century, its use did
not become widespread until the late
Middle Ages. Before this the usual support
for writing was parchment or vellum, made
from stretched animal skin.
The term ‘Illumination’ comes from the
Latin word for ‘enlightened’ and refers to
the use of bright colours and gold to
embellish initial letters, or to portray entire
scenes. Sometimes the initials were purely
decorative, but often they work with the
text to mark or enhance important
passages,
A most beautiful illumination was a ‘Book
of Hours’ commissioned by Jean, Duc de
Berry in 1413. The artists chosen to
illuminate ‘Très Riches Heures’ were the
three Limbourg brothers. The artist chose
this manuscript to base his ‘Open Book’
trompe l’oeil painting on.
