Illuminated Poetry: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:28, 8 July 2016

French illuminated manuscript, c. 1330

History

Making copies of a written work took much time and effort before the invention of the printing press. Before then, each page of a book was handwritten by scribes or monks. Particularly important works for the church or wealthy patrons were illuminated with bright colors and gold leaf. The page to the right is from The Romance of Lancelot du Lac, written in France around 1300. The page might look like an ancient children’s book, complete with illustrations. This is appropriate because both words (“illuminate” and “illustrate”) come from the Latin illustrationem, meaning “vivid representation.”

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-Making copies of a written work took much time and energy before the invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg around 1440. Before the press, each page of a manuscript was handwritten. By the 15<sup>th</sup> Century, (though the practice began much earlier) it was popular for the scribes or monks to illuminate their work with bright colors and gold leaf.  The page to the right is from The Romance of Lancelot du Lac, written in France around 1300.  The page might look like an ancient children’s book, complete with illustrations.  This is appropriate because both words (“illuminate” and “illustrate”) come from the Latin ''illustrationem'', meaning “vivid representation.”
+[[File:The Romance of Lancelot du Lac.jpg|alt=Pharien seeking counsel from King Claudas about his wife's infidelity with the king (S III 23/8-11).|thumb|French illuminated manuscript, c. 1330]]
+== History ==
+Making copies of a written work took much time and effort before the invention of the printing press. Before then, each page of a book was handwritten by scribes or monks. Particularly important works for the church or wealthy patrons were ''illuminated'' with bright colors and gold leaf. The page to the right is from ''The Romance of Lancelot du Lac'', written in France around 1300. The page might look like an ancient children’s book, complete with illustrations. This is appropriate because both words (“illuminate” and “illustrate”) come from the Latin ''illustrationem'', meaning “vivid representation.”
 [[Category:Assignments]]
 [[Category:Language Arts]]