Illumination

Introduction

In the study of illumination, there are differing opinions what what is actually considered to be an illuminated manuscript. For a general definition, they are manuscripts decorated with gold or silver, brilliant colors, and elaborate designs of miniature pictures, initials, and other details on the margins or borders. However, in strictest terms, only manuscripts with gold and silver can be considered illuminated. For the purposes of this essay, I will be referring to this definition. For these manuscripts, illumination was a strategic way to mark the importance of a certain section of the text. It created different levels of priority amongst readers. Illumination was not just for decorative purposes, but keys in which to approach a text.

Generally, it should be noted that silver was less common than gold because it was subject to tarnishing. For silver, a substitute was tin, which was less expensive and does not oxidize as fast. For gold, there were two types used, shell gold and gold leaf. A substitute for gold was also mosaic gold. This was a tin disulfide mixture that could be used like paint which resulted in a pigment which was gold in color, but had a grainy surface once applied to the page. Regardless of which material was used and the size of illustration, there was always a harmony between the text and the painted borders. Although illumination was present in Middle Eastern societies, Europe is where we find the most highly developed techniques of this process, especially from France or the Netherlands.

Livre des faits de Jacques de Lalaing