A History of Illuminated Manuscripts - Softcover

De Hamel, Christopher

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0714834521 ISBN 13: 9780714834528

Publisher: Phaidon Press, 1997

Synopsis

Illuminated manuscripts are perhaps the most beautiful treasures to survive from the middle ages. This authoritative volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the medieval world of books, their production and their consumption. The text divides this world into different groups of readers and writers: missionaries, emperors, monks, students, aristocrats, priests, collectors and the general public. De Hamel is both informative and immensely readable, and the sumptuous illustrations render this book too good to be missed.

About this title

About the Author:

Christopher de Hamel is a Fellow Librarian of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. For many years he was head of the Western Manuscripts department at Sotheby's in London. He is the author of The Book: A History of the Bible, also published by Phaidon, which has become established as a definitive work and magnum opus in itself.

Review:

"It is no mere history, but an original, lively and richly illustrated commentary."-Times Literary Supplement "Gorgeous and informative. A wonderful introduction to handwritten books from the Dark Ages to the invention of printing in the fifteenth century."-Houston Chronicle "Lavish, beautiful and sweeping look at the beginning of the printed word."-Graphic Arts Monthly "Along with excellent illustrations, this large volume includes a bibliography and index of manuscripts."-The Good Book Guide

About this edition

• Publisher: Phaidon Press
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0714834521
• ISBN 13: 9780714834528
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 272