Practical Directions xxxii.
Colours xxxiii.
Appendix xliv.
=_Plates._=
Monograms: 7th and 8th centuries i.
From the Bible of Charles the Bald, 9th century ii.
From a Bible, 12th century iii.
Opus Anglicum iv.
Hours of S. Louis v.
Les Merveilles du Monde, 1409 vi.
Chronicles of England, Edward IV. vii.
Hours of Henry VII. viii.
Hours of Anne of Brittany ix.
14th and 15th centuries—Initials x.
Ditto xi.
Italian Initials xii.
Outlines of the above xiii. to xx.
[Illustration]
Preface.
As the taste for illumination continues to spread, the want of an
elementary work on the art becomes more and more keenly felt. Persons
possessed of real artistic skill turn their attention to it, and after
designing and executing work which, according to all the rules of
art known to them, ought to produce a correct and pleasing result,
are amazed at the ungainly conglomeration which is the reward of
their labour. The secret of this is, they are unacquainted with the
fundamental principles of the art. Others, setting to work in a safer
way, place before them a specimen of mediæval illuminating work, and
endeavour to produce an accurate copy of it; they too are amazed at
finding that, after all the pains bestowed on it, their copy has an
effect so different from that of the original. The secret of this
is, they are unacquainted with the peculiar method of manipulating
the colours, &c. used in illuminating. What both need is, elementary
instruction in—first—the principles; and, secondly—the practice of
the art.
It is to supply this want that the ‘PRIMER OF ILLUMINATION’
has been conceived. It contains just so much instruction on the
history and principles of the art, as may serve to fix on certain
definite bases, the wandering and somewhat hazy notions of people on
the subject, and enable them, by reference to good examples, to erect
their own superstructure on a certain foundation; and just so much
instruction in the practical part of the art as may enable them, in a
great measure, to teach themselves how to practise it. Advice is also
given on the selection and purchase of colours, instruments, &c., and a
progressive set of studies, printed both in outline and in the proper
colours, and gold, is added to furnish models for copying.
Incidentally, an effort has been made to correct a few of the prevalent
popular errors on the subject—such, for instance, as that every
illuminated service book is a ‘missal,’ and so forth—and which errors
stand sorely in the way of the beginner’s right comprehension of the
subject.
All the examples selected have been taken from undoubted authorities,
and will be recognized by persons acquainted with mediæval books.
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