Week 5 Tutorial

I had a little bit to catch up in during this class so I spent my time, while everyone else was playing around with Sewing on tape, looking at the Gutenberg bible and comparing and noting the contrasts between the two separate copies. I noted that in the paper copy it seemed to be targeted more towards a noble and wealthy group of people due to the greater and more colorful use of imagery throughout the book. The velum copy seems to be suited more to public use, or for more dedicated religious followers because of its lack on intricate designs and color.

I also noted that the two books were almost identical, however there were different color ranges and some of the imagery was more elaborate in the paper version. I noted as well that the paper version had much clearer lettering. However this can be attributed to the fact that paper absorbed ink much more efficiently than the velum could.

It was brought to my attention that the use of imagery in relation to the text was in order to help lead the reader’s eye onto another chapter or paragraph. Sometimes the text was set out in a way that the next paragraphed needed to be marked so there was no confusion. I also believe that the images help create the mood for what the manuscript entails.

While in class I had a look at the Kelmscott Chaucer as well and noted some differences in this illuminated manuscript in comparison to those from the illuminated manuscript era. The Kelmscott Chaucer can be considered as William Morris’ tribute to the 15^th century illuminated manuscript. However when compared to the Book of Kells, as seen below, the Kelmscott Chaucer is vastly differently.

For instance, the lack of color is a major difference, as well as how elaborate the designs are in the Kelmscott Chaucer, it almost seems overdone, or overbeautified if you prefer. Also, the imagery itself in the Kelmscott Chaucer is rather extravagant and in great detail, where in the Book of Kells the imagery is far more beast-like and primitive.

I did find it interesting looking at the Kelmscott Press, and the Chaucer. It’s inspiring to know that someone could have such a love for the illuminated manuscript as to want to recreate one of their own.

Week 4 Study Questions

I was not present in the class this week due to illness. Seems like I am always getting ill these days, but that is not relevant. I have been looking over some of the study activities for this week and the thing that looks most interesting to me this week is the bookmaking interlude. Very intrigued by the prospect of the pamphlet stitch. However I think this was looked at in class this week. Damn being sick!!But anyways moving on. I had a look at what a block book is, and the advantages and disadvantages of the block book.

A block book is a book where each double page opening was printed from a single block of wood. The advantages to this process were the fact that it was possible to integrate text in a way that was not available in other forms of printing. Also once a series of blocks were created books could be printed to order until such times as the blocks deteriorated. However there were some disadvantages to Block printing. The process of cutting the blocks was time consuming and therefore expensive, with a separate block being required for every page. It was also difficult to cut even and well aligned text.

I was quite interested by the prospect of the Block Book having some impact on the introduction of the comic book. However when I actually compared the two I came to the conclusion that even though there may be people that think that the Block Book was the precedent for the comic book, only the layout is similar between the two mediums. Maybe the idea of the layout did come from the Block Book, however the idea of the sequential narrative can be related to other artistic objects from later in history.

Skimmed over some of the other study guides as well, and I had a look at Printing with Movable type. Some of the elements that were needed for print technology to be adopted were that there needed to be type, a press and a large assortment of other elements. I found it interesting looking over the steps that are undertaken to create a printed book. I didn’t realize until now how much effort really had to be put into creating a printed book. There was the composition, imposition, and the binding just to name a few. Amazing to think how little effort there is in bookmaking now, save for the artists books and whatnot. Truly interesting.

Week 3 Study Guide Questions

Today I finished up on the rest of the study guide questions. I had a look at the study activity that talked about the Types and Styles of illuminated manuscripts. I discovered that more often that not, the church was responsible for the production of a great deal of manuscripts. In other words, the main production of manuscripts was for Bibles. Many famous manuscripts were made for the use of public church services.

Also I discovered while I was looking at some of the examples on the Art and Books website, that the purpose of the book had a large impact on the production and final form of the manuscript. Books that were intended for public church services were elaborately designed, however the message and images were quite dark. In comparison to a book that was made for decorative purposes only, the pages were far more delicate and the decorative aspects of the book were in more detail. Also there was a lot more elaborate imagery in the decorative books.

Week 3 Tutorial

In the tutorial today we had a look at Coptic binding!! I was so excited by the prospect of creating my own book because it something that I have never done before. I found the whole process to be quite easy and enjoyable at the same time. I would have much preferred if my book had been a little neater but what can you do??? The Coptic binding exercise made me interested in having a look at several different binding styles, and although I know it is not reliable I had a look at Wikipedia and some of the different binding types that was talked about on there. The site I went to was Bookbinding.

Also while waiting for tools to be passed around during the bookmaking interlude Susan asked the class to have a look over one of the study activities for Topic 2. It was the book comparison between Les Tres Riches Hures Du Duc De Berry and the Book of Kells, which I had already had a look at last week in class with Catherine. I came to some interesting conclusions when I was comparing these two books. When looking at the Duc de Berry and the Book of Kells there are many distinct differences. The Book of Kells, was really only intended for public display and Duc de Berry was meant to be displayed. This is most notable through the use of different coloring styles. Duc de Berry is far more extravagant in regards to color. There is a strong use of blues and golds, and the color is far more vibrant. Also the era that the two books came from is far different. The printing process had improved dramatically in the era of Duc de Berry.

When look at the styles between the two books The Book of Kells was written in the insular style, meaning narrow-minded or provincial, and the images were of Celtic design. Duc de Berry, on the other hand took a more naturalistic approach and the imagery was more closely related to the human form.

During this class there wasn’t anything that I really struggled with grasping which was wonderful. I always love it when things proceed smoothly. I found some interest in Duc de Berry and the painting style that was used in it. The imagery was quite intriguing and I would like to have a look at similar books.

Week 2 Study Guide Questions

Today I spent a few hours reading through some of the essays on the Art and Books website. I also had a look at the essential reading which I did find boring but informing. It took me several attempts to be able to finish the large chunk of reading but I found that I picked up quite a lot of information about illuminated manuscripts and the process that was behind the making of them. The essential reading Medieval and Renaissance Book Production - Manuscript Books brought to my attention even more the fact that the creation of illuminated manuscripts was a long and time consuming process that took not only knowledge of art and writing but also required the production of vellum (animal skin), or parchment so that the scribes had some medium to write on. Also the production of manuscripts also required that new inks were made and certain pigments, such as blue, had to be imported before the actual writing and painting process could take place.

Week 2 Illuminated Manuscripts

Due to some personal issues I had to skip my regular class and I attending the Wednesday Tutorial instead. I loved the sized and the atmosphere of the smaller class, however that’s not what I’m supposed to be talking about. Anyways, in this tutorial we started our discussion on Illuminated Manuscripts and we had a look at several replicas of some illuminated manuscripts. My fellow class mate Catherine and I had a look at the Book of Kells which I found to be quite dark and almost primitive in design. I felt as though this manuscript was designed more to frighten its readers rather than to inform them.

We then sat down as a group and discussed the similarities and differences between the Book of Kells and another manuscript known as Les Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. I found this book to be far more charming than the Book of Kells but I think this can be largely attributed to the use of color and the much lighter feeling imagery. However these two books do differ greatly because of the time frame as well as their purposes.

Also in class Susan spoke about Coptic binding which was the binding process that they used in the illuminated manuscripts and also suggested that we could have a go at making our own Coptic bound books which I found to be a very good and interesting idea. The concept of creating our own books is a much more interesting learning experience for me and I find that I take more in if the topic is far more hands on.

I am really looking forward to next week’s class because I want to play with Coptic binding. I found everything in the class quite easy to grasp and it was well explained. However I think the reason that it was so easy to take in was because we were able to discuss in detail with the rest of our class group. It was also handy having members in the class that had taken the class the year before.

I want to learn more about the Book of Kells and the meaning behind it and I also want to find about the time period it was introduced in.