It is the oldest and one of only three ancient illustrated manuscripts of classical literature. It was made in Rome in around 400 CE, and is one of the oldest surviving sources for the text of the Aeneid. 3225), is a Late Antique illuminated manuscript containing fragments of Virgil's Aeneid and Georgics. The Vergilius Vaticanus, also known as Vatican Virgil ( Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica, Cod. Surviving of the Instructions and Portulans of Venice.Ascanius and Trojan council, Folio 73 verso Jean Fouquet restores the prestige of French illuminated manuscripts in a Renaissance language ( Book of Hours of Etienne Chevalier).ĭiffusion of the printed book: decline of the manuscript production and the art of illumination. Creative turmoil at King Rene’s court, he was a lover of art and humanist principles. The Italian illumination develops with the spread of humanist books under the patronage of the Sforza and of the Medici ( Canzoniere of Petrarch). The Duchy of Burgundy of Philip the Good welcomes French artists (Simon Marmion, the presumed author of the Chronicles of France of Saint-Bertin) and Flemish artists as well ( Universal Chronology). Immersed in the Hundred Years’ War, France loses its creative dynamism. Famous Flemish artists (such as the Limburg Brothers, The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry) are drawn by the enlightened patronage of Charles V, the Dukes of Burgundy, the Dukes of Berry and of the Valois Princes. Straightness of the Germanic-style figures ( Book of Chess). In Italy, the illuminated manuscripts of Bologna are done according to the teaching of Giotto: coloured tints, details and perspective ( Story of the Trojan War). Flourishing of the illuminated manuscript art in Provence and Catalonia, strongly influenced by oriental taste ( Lo Breviari d’amor). Refinement of the silhouettes and elegance of the Parisian School, under the direction of Jean de Pucelle. The era of monastic fabrication declines with the advent of urban workshops run by laymen. The ornementation gains margins which become populated with ivy, grotesques and drolleries. Keen interest on architectural forms, brights colours (blue, red, white), quest for the volume and movement ( Psalter, 1218-1242). The French illuminated manuscripts set the laws of the Gothic style for the whole Western world. Flourishing art at the court of Charles the Bald ( Sacramentary of Saint-Amand), but in other places as well as the Rhine Valley, Tours, Rheims and Metz. The thematic of the codex spreads to profane texts ( Bestiary). Enriching of the material: prepared manuscript with purple background, decor of gold and silver ( The Purple Gospelbook). Rationalising the decor (naturalistic figural art), focused on the initial capital and a few miniatures. 673-735), entitled Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum introduced for the first time an historiated initial in a manuscript.Ĭarolingian Renaissance: setting of the main principles of the art of illuminated manuscripts. The work of the first British historian, Bede the Venerable (c. The main centers of production are the monasteries of Fleury, Tours (Val de Loire), Luxeuil (Burgundy) and Corbie (Picardy). The Merovingian manuscripts of linear style are modelled on Antiquity and Byzantine art to illustrate prayer books and lectionaries. The insular art ( of the islands of Ireland and Northumbria) stands out by the creativeness of its Gospel adornements, with designs of plants and mosaics. More hard-wearing, the parchment, elaborated with animal skin, will replace the papyrus.įirst illuminated manuscripts in the codex of Western monasteries.

The codex that will not truly supplant the scroll (a roll of parchment or paper) until the 4th century. Parchment, Latin, 42 x 26 cm, Italy Chronologyįirst illuminated manuscripts of papyrus in Ancient Egypt.Ĭreation of the codex (bound book). Avicenna and the Translator of his Work, Represented by a Monk Below (Initial of book 3)Ĭanon, Ibn-Cina (Avicenna), 1343.

Illuminated manuscript illustrations