← Table of contents
A Primer of the Art of Illumination for the Use of Beginners

Part 1 — English and French Specimens.

Reading edition

DATE. NAME OF SPECIMEN. POINTS TO BE NOTED. WHERE TO BE FOUND. PAGE IN[11] GUIDE BOOK.

9th cent. Latin bible, written on vellum, according to the Vulgate, as revised by Alcuin. Character of initials displaying the first principle mentioned. MS. Saloon, upright Case (A.) 30 (MS.)

12th cent. A volume of a Latin bible written for the monastery at Arnstein. Initial letters, “In Principio,” covering entire page, and interlaced. Do. Case II. (B.) 30 (MS.)

Abt. 1300 The Books of the Maccabees. Arrangement of illustrations, in rows of medallions— displays little or no principle—but is curious. Do. Case, 4th compartment (D.) 29 (MS.)

End 14th or beginning of 15th cent. Fragment of a Lectionary written for Lord Lovell, and presented by him to Salisbury. This is a brilliant specimen, though it has been maltreated. Observe the framework or border—the filagree work—ivy leaves—miniature scene illustrative—coatsof arms introduced, &c. Do. 6th compartment (F.) 30 (MS.)

1493. Les Chroniques de France. All are well worth studying, for the beauty of the borders, as well as for general arrangement. King’s Library, Case X. 20(KL.)

1493 and 1498. Hours for the use of the diocese of Rome (Paris.)—Pigouchet

1493 L’Art et Science de Rhetorique (Paris.) A good specimen of the counterchanged border. Do. Case VII. 13(KL.)

1470 Justinus’s Abridgement of Trogus Borders and Initials. Do. Case X. 19(KL.)

1471 Fichet—Rhetoricorum libri. Do. Case X. 19(KL.)

Decorative design.
Decorative design.

Notes in this chapter

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

Reading settings