Bookillumination - technique
Writing and Layout
column (a, b)
intercolumnium
margin
Bas-de-page
Headline
Preparations before writing
Lettertype samples and sample sheets for customers
Distribution of the text in consideration of
future book illumination
Rubrication with Minium red, insertion
of the initials and lombards
In use since the 12th century: decoration of the letters
letters with so-called penwork-decoration
(„lettre fleuronnée“).
Hierachy of letters
Cadelles
Lombard
Initial
Clarification of the sections of contents
Paragraph:
small
„lombard“
Chapter:
larger
„initial
Rubric introduces
the chapter
(„rubrum“: red)
washed pen and ink drawing
Göttingen pattern book (15th century) with
detailed instructions for painting in five layers of
coloured opaque paint: e.g. leafs, tendrils
Viennese Presentation Booklet, c. 1400
(KHM)
Figures
Engraving: Playing Cards
(„Bird Three“) by the Master
of Playing Cards c. 1450
figurative initials
Transfer of
ornamental
forms and
sometimes even
figures by means of
stencils
Tracing (with stencil and charcoal dust)
Sketching figures and ornaments
Sketching
Preparation for gilding:
Bolus primer
Gilding of letters,
pictorial grounds and tendrils
Gold leaf
Shell gold
Agate for polishing the gold leaf
Shell gold is applied
with the brush
Additional decoration by embossing the gildings
Gilding of lancet leafs
Painting in layers
Demi-grisaille of Jean Pucelle in the
Book of Hours of Queen Jeanne d‘ Evreux.
Paris, 1325/28
Grisaille: Shades of grey
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/470309
Camaieu: tone on tone painting, coloured
drolerie
historiated initial
https://youtu.be/nuNfdHNTv9o
golden penwork
acanthus vines / tendrils