Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms, Revised Edition (Looking At) - Softcover

Brown, Michelle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1606065785 ISBN 13: 9781606065785

Publisher: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2018

What is a historiated initial? What are canon tables? What is a drollery? This revised edition of Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms offers definitions of the key elements of illuminated manuscripts, demystifying the techniques, processes, materials, nomenclature, and styles used in the making of these precious books.
 
Updated to reflect current research and technologies, this beautifully illustrated guide includes images of important manuscript illuminations from the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum and beyond. Concise, readable explanations of the technical terms most frequently encountered in manuscript studies make this portable volume an essential resource for students, scholars, and readers who wish a deeper understanding and enjoyment of illuminated manuscripts and medieval book production.
 

About the Author:

Michelle P. Brown is professor emerita of medieval manuscript studies at the School of Advanced Study, University of London. She was previously curator of the manuscript collections at the British Library (1986–2004). Elizabeth C. Teviotdale is assistant director of the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University. She previously worked in the J. Paul Getty Museum’s Department of Manuscripts (1992–2002) and is the author of The Stammheim Missal (Getty Publications, 2001). Nancy Turner is conservator of manuscripts in the Department of Paper Conservation at the J. Paul Getty Museum.
 
 

Review:

“Equally useful for scholars, students, and casual museum visitors, it provides many of the essential tools for both understanding and enjoying these beautiful books.”
  (Times Higher Education)

“. . . a vital reference point for anyone keen on medieval culture or the history of the book.”
  (Apollo)

“Essential.”
  (Choice)

“A very elegant and practical work.”
  (Art de l’enluminure)

“Overall, this book remains an invaluable resource for the teaching of the study of illuminated manuscripts. The authors of this excellent mise-à-jour should be thanked for their contribution to what will remain a standard introductory and reference resource.”
  (The Medieval Review)

• Publisher: J. Paul Getty Museum
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1606065785
• ISBN 13: 9781606065785
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 128