As Christianity was a central part of medieval Western European and Byzantine life, devotional books were commissioned by religious organizations, churches, and nobility. Manuscript production quickly became an important craft.

The earliest evidence of illuminated manuscripts in Europe and the Byzantine Empire date from the 7th century CE. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain) Illustration of a scribe from the Roman de la Rose manuscript, an allegorical poem written in Old Frenchin the 14th century. Who created illuminated manuscripts and how? Most early illuminated manuscripts were religious texts, but the tradition blossomed to include epic poems, histories, and allegorical stories. While not all manuscripts are so ornately illuminated, common textual features of these medieval books include dramatic drop caps, marginalia, and ornate scripts. Gold leaf often added a gilded final touch. Illustrations and illuminations (decorations) were painted in tempera (color pigment bound by an egg base). The text of a manuscript was handwritten in ink. The pages were sewn together along one edge and encased in ornate covers with leather, gold, ivory, and even precious jewels. The best quality codexes used fine calfskin called vellum. Typically, a manuscript was a codex-a bound volume composed of sheets of parchment (animal skin). These were the only books available in medieval Europe, before the advent of the printing press in the 15th century. Manuscripts are texts or books written by hand. (Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Public domain) The original manuscript was eventually removed and the cover used for a 15th century Gospel lectionary. The front plaque depicts Christ in Majesty and the Four Evangelists. Extravagantly decorated texts are also found in the traditions of China, Japan, and India-among other artistic traditions.Īlthough this article primarily focuses on the illuminated manuscripts of Europe, explore the brilliant volumes of these other traditions through exhibits on Jain manuscripts from India or Nepalese Buddhist texts.Īn Ottonian manuscript bound in leather with ivory accents, made in Germany circa 1000 to 1100.

However, the Islamic courts of medieval Iberia and the later Ottoman Empire had rich traditions of manuscript production and illumination.

The illuminated manuscript tradition is therefore highly associated with medieval Christian Europe. The earliest texts were typically religious in nature, including Gospels and Lectionaries. Illuminated manuscripts were luxury goods-expensive and labor-intensive. The production of books became a lucrative, rich art form. Despite the misnomer, the production of illuminated manuscripts was an important industry in the Early Medieval Period. However, the tradition of illuminated manuscripts-intricate, decorated handwritten texts-developed in late antiquity at the dawn of the Dark Ages. Manuscripts are found all over the world, with some texts dating to antiquity.

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