illuminated manuscript
Decorated medieval book
An illuminated manuscript is a handwritten book decorated with gold, silver, or colorful designs.
Before printing, scribes copied texts by hand, and the finest were embellished with ornate borders, miniature paintings, and elaborate initial letters.
The term comes from the gold leaf that catches light, making pages appear to glow.
Medieval religious texts—Bibles, prayer books, gospels—were most commonly illuminated: The Book of Kells is among the most famous illuminated manuscripts.
- vellumPrepared calfskin for writing
- animal skinBeast's outer covering
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
- Lindisfarne GospelsDecorated early medieval evangeliary
- scrollWound document of parchment
folio · paleography · Book of Kells · tempera · bestiaries · insular art · codex · gilding · scriptorium · rubric · medieval period · Middle Ages · scribe · quill pen · religious texts · prayer book · miniature painting · ink
- art formspainting, drawing, sculpture, photography, music
- medievalknights, castles, cathedral, kings, queens
- historical mediadocumentary, newsreel, archival footage, vintage radio, silent film
- Gaelic Irelandhigh king, Book of Kells, Tara, druid, chieftain
- historic artworksfresco, mosaic, cave painting, tapestry, bas-relief
- Irish FaithSt. Patrick, St. Brigid, Celtic cross, Catholic Church, holy well
illuminated manuscriptdigital text
Computerized written content
paperback · e-book · Gutenberg Bible · newspaper · offset printing