Illuminated Manuscripts of the Medieval Ages

[Hobo Bob]

I simply had to share:

 

I just got back from my VIS121d class, Illuminated Manuscripts of the Medieval Ages. This class hasn't been offered in at least three years - until I saw it and bugged the department head to no end. I am totally stoked! We're going to be studying some really amazing works. I was almost drooling during the first lecture. The really cool part will be the field trips: behind-the-scenes tours at UCSD's special collections library and the J. Paul Getty Museum's Manuscript Study Room. At the school library, we'll even be able to handle some of the manuscripts and facsimiles- a big deal, considering that even the facsimiles run in the four digit range. Who knew school could be so fun?

BTW, one of the possible topics for our research paper: paleography, or the study of writing. According to my professor: "Probably the most boring topic to write on..."

 

Regards

[Beechwood]

I simply had to share:

 

I just got back from my VIS121d class, Illuminated Manuscripts of the Medieval Ages. This class hasn't been offered in at least three years - until I saw it and bugged the department head to no end. I am totally stoked! We're going to be studying some really amazing works. I was almost drooling during the first lecture. The really cool part will be the field trips: behind-the-scenes tours at UCSD's special collections library and the J. Paul Getty Museum's Manuscript Study Room. At the school library, we'll even be able to handle some of the manuscripts and facsimiles- a big deal, considering that even the facsimiles run in the four digit range. Who knew school could be so fun?

BTW, one of the possible topics for our research paper: paleography, or the study of writing. According to my professor: "Probably the most boring topic to write on..."

 

Regards

 

 

I am not sure if you are familiar with the Book of Kells : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells

[escribo]

Wow! Lucky you.

Paleagraphy, boring???? :/

I don't suppose you'll be allowed to take pictures...

[Hobo Bob]

I am not sure if you are familiar with the Book of Kells : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells

 

That's one of the big ones we'll be studying. I think UCSD has a facsimile of it, and I think that the original will be at the Getty for restoration when we're making our field trip. double

 

I don't suppose you'll be allowed to take pictures...

 

I asked - and it might be possible . I'm going to borrow my apartment mate's digital SLR and tripod and take super long exposures xD If I do, I'll post them, though this is at the

 

Regards

[BillTheEditor]

(Shameless promo for my sister's book on the Book of Kells, cited for "Further Reading" in the Wikipedia article)

 

The Book of Kells: Its Function and Audience

 

"Created between the seventh and ninth centuries AD, The Book of Kells is one of the great cultural icons of the medieval West. In the past, it has received a great deal of popular and scholarly attention, but only recently has its labyrinth of meaning and references begun to be explored.

 

In "The Book of Kells: Its Function and Audience," Carol Ann Farr builds on the work of liturgists, palaeographers, historians, and art historians to go beyond basic analysis to place The Book of Kells in the wider context of use and audience.

 

Farr situates The Book of Kells as part of an evangelical tradition that used the physical appearance of the gospels as a tool of conversion. By examining the manuscript in its political, social, historical, and religious contexts, she provides a fresh perspective on this most famous of insular illuminated texts. In particular, Farr offers new and convincing readings of two of the most difficult images, the 'Temptation' and so-called 'Arrest'."

 

http://www.amazon.ca/Book-Kells-Carol-Farr/dp/0712345760

Edited October 2, 2008 by BillTheEditor

[HDoug]

Here's an interesting site by retired prof of paleography, Dianne Tillotson of Australia: Dianne's Medieval Writing. Many examples, and some clever "tests" for proper reading of manuscripts. Also her blog to which she posts too infrequently. She is a very bright and witty writer -- fun reading!

 

Doug