<i>Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination</i> (review)
Maidie Hilmo
Reviewed by: Royal Manuscripts: The Genius of Illumination Maidie Hilmo Scot McKendrick, John Lowden, and Kathleen Doyle, with Joanna Frońska Deidre Jackson, (London: British Library 2011) 448 pp., color ill. From its brilliantly designed cover to splendidly reproduced images, this richly illustrated book is itself a visual feast. It does indeed display the “genius” artists whose works it brings public eye. catalogue features 154 entries preceded by introductory essays. Each entry consists primarily full-page image from relevant manuscript together facing page description (although sometimes there are also illustrations or enlarged details). essays include another forty-eight images various sizes. lavishness reflects subject: these manuscripts affiliated English royalty thus “fit for king.” majority featured, 111 them, part Old gifted nation in 1757 George II form collection (indicated shelf mark same name), while 37 other collections library (with different marks). remaining six belong institutions. Since associated kings queens, they offer viewer highest level art illumination up sixteenth century. first essay, “The Manuscript as Idea Object,” Lowden. He explores ways which books came have royal connections. Beginning early codices, he traces history Roman Christian Bibles that found their way into England centuries later: Codex Alexandrinus was given Patriarch Constantinople Charles I 1627, Cotton Genesis eventually made via Venice be presented Henry VIII. Lowden goes on point out sponsorship, including Carolingian Anglo-Saxon such Bibles, Gospels, charters (and accompanying queens). In these, personages sanction sanctioned Church, mutually reinforcing each other’s authority. following religious Psalters Books Hours increasingly play an important role serving instructional purposes, helping queens offspring learn read. Such were inherited wedding gifts, taking “dynastic significance.” One most concepts highlights transition “royal collection” idea around fourteenth There had, course, been monastic libraries, but [End Page 231] credits growing use vernacular actions monarchs who, model Solomon, “cultivated name wisdom,” inspiring creation new libraries. second “A European Heritage: Continental Origin collected Family Edward III VII.” McKendrick points that, witnesses development culture identity, actual origin. reason many French acquired Duke Berry when Regent France, even before this, reminds us, Norman Conquest only larger political cultural domain extended across Channel. illuminated became symbols military ascendency, brides kings, testified trade luxury goods, evidenced ambition taste. often obtain personal favor advancement, whether subjects. Even after introduction printing late fifteenth century, showed taste books. Much holds true Netherlandish printed IV, example, deluxe produced southern Netherlands. These testify close dynastic, political...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies