A Dictionary of Miniaturists, Illuminators, Calligraphers, and Copyists: With References to their Works and Notices of their Patrons from the Establishment of Christianity to the Eighteenth Century

First published in 1887-9, this remarkable reference work examines the craft of miniaturists and the related trades and techniques of calligraphy and illumination. An art that flourished particularly before the advent of printing, these craftsmen and women enriched manuscripts with pictures, ornate borders, ornamental writing, portraits and the decoration of letters. Also included are copyists - those who painstakingly transcribed volumes by hand before the mechanical printing press.

Compiled by John William Bradley (1830-1916), this 3-volume work was the first serious and systematic attempt to catalogue the practitioners of this craft. Giving precise and often contemporary statements respecting illuminated books and the men and women who executed them, the Dictionary 'will help a reader to form some notion of an artist's manner and style of work, as well as of his time and place in art history'. Occasioning a great amount of original research, the book is still full of useful information that would otherwise only be covered in a wide variety of sources. This set will interest scholars of art history, medieval studies and the history of printing. It will also fascinate those studying religious iconography, as many of the artist practitioners can be found here. Arranged alphabetically, with biographical notes, some bibliographical details of their works, their patrons, their locations and the sources consulted, the Dictionary of Miniaturists... continues to be a valuable and unique reference source.

—an original and unique work still valuable to modern scholars
—the original edition of this work is uncommon and expensive
—no other book examines this subject in such depth