Art History Illustrated, Masterpieces of Skin: The Art of Medieval Manuscripts
Thursday, June 15, 2023
New time! 5:30-7:00 PM
Before the invention of the printing press in 1450, all books were copied and illustrated by hand. They were mostly created using parchment, made from animal skins, rather than paper made from trees. In this richly illustrated talk with art historian Brenda Edgar, you’ll learn about how European manuscripts of the Middle Ages were made, while exploring the otherworldly style of their luminous decorations. Along the way you’ll get to know a wide variety of fascinating examples, from enormous bibles and pocket-sized prayer books, to scientific and medical texts, and much more.
Image: Detail of Bamberg, Staatsbibliothek, Msc.Patr.41, fol. 69r.
Join us for our “Art History Illustrated” talk series, held the third Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. This monthly illustrated talk series is presented by art historian Brenda Edgar, in collaboration with the Carnegie Center for Art and History.