Illuminated+Manuscripts

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//This page has been revised {$pagerevisions} times. // //The last revision was {$revisiondate} by {$revisioneditor}. // __ Illuminated Manuscripts __ llluminated Manuscripts are  a stunning work of art and add an entire new aspect to the book. Even though it made books very expensive, illuminated manuscripts have been a very significant piece of artistic literature throughout the Middle Ages.

__Purpose__
Illuminated manuscripts were  not just decorations in a book, they made up an entire art form throughout the Middle Ages. (www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/nanu)  The illuminated manuscripts would help to tell the story by adding vivid scenes from the book that would be hard to create in your mind. (www.britannica.com/ebchecked/283009)

__The Making Of Illuminated Manuscripts__
Many people endured the highly involved process of making Middle Aged books. At first only quill pens existed but later in the 14th century the first iron pens came into existence. Although the pens consisted of metal, they did not dispense ink. The pens had a small piece of cloth near the tip that would allow you to soak ink into the pen and then write with it. (www.historicpages.com/textmshist.htm) Many colors were used in the making of Illuminated Manuscript. The main colors consisted of blue, red, green, gold, silver, and black. The blue came from Lapis lazuli, the red from rusted iron, gold and silver came in thin sheets, and a type of oil made the black ink. (Archers Alchemist p. 73) After the books had been copied and illuminated, they would have to be bound together by hand. (www.leavesofgold.com) The paper consisted of animal skins and this presented the problem of books getting very thick with just a few pages of skin.

__Later Years__
Sadly, in the mid 15th century, the printing press came into existence which did away with the art of illumination in books. (www.britanica.com/ebchecked/283009) It took a fairly long time for the people that already had books to get used to this new style of manuscripts. After the printing press became generally accepted, illuminated book became highly sought after and very expensive. (www.leavesofgold.com) Although these books happened to be much less colorful they cost much less than the ones that had to be had hand bound. The books made before the printing press had been so expensive that only the upper class could own them. With the invention of the printing press, many more people acquired books.  Illuminated manuscripts make up a very interesting and significant part of history. Today, only a few original of these remain in the world. (World Book Encyclopedia I p. 78 Sandra Hindman) The majority of these Illuminated Manuscripts have been printed copies. Before the printing press was invented, Illuminated Manuscripts represented almost all forms of books. Although they took a great deal of time time to make, the work and detail that would go into preparing them would make it worth every the expense and time .

Works Cited Hindman, Sandra. "I." Introduction. //The World Book Encyclopedia.// Chicago: World Book, 2001. 78. Print. "Illuminated Manuscript (art) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." //Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia//. Web. 23 Apr. 2011. . "Illuminations." //Phil Barber's Historic Newspaper Shop//. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. . "Index of /texts." //Phil Barber's Historic Newspaper Shop//. Web. 23 Apr. 2011. . "Illuminated Manuscript (art) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." // Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia //. Web. 23 Apr. 2011. ."Illuminations." // Phil Barber's Historic Newspaper Shop //. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://www.historicpages.com/texts/>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">"Index of /texts." // Phil Barber's Historic Newspaper Shop //. Web. 23 Apr. 2011. <http://www.historicpages.com/texts/>.