Why medieval books were literally illuminated with precious gold and silver
In short: Discover the origins of illuminated manuscripts, the ornate, hand-crafted books that defined medieval literacy. This video explores how these expensive, light-reflecting texts evolved from monastic labor into a commercial industry, highlighting the most enduring devotional works of the era.
Illuminated manuscripts earned their name from the use of reflective metallic materials, specifically gold and silver, which catch the light. While early examples included classical texts like those of the Roman poet Virgil, the tradition became synonymous with Christian scripture and devotional literature in Europe.
Originally produced exclusively by monks within abbeys, the production of these books eventually shifted toward commercial enterprises to meet rising demand. Among these, the Book of Hours stands out as the most popular format, evidenced by the fact that more copies of this specific devotional text have survived than any other work from the period.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Short History of the Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts
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