Art of the Illuminated Manuscript

Nothing captures our imagination like the illuminated manuscript. From the Lindisfarne Gospels to the Book of Kells these ancient texts are constructed with care and precision. These manuscripts have captured the essence of time and communicate complex visual imagery. This five week course will provide a brief historical overview to the creation and construction of illuminated manuscripts including pigment choices and binding. We will follow St. Columbkille from his home in Ireland to the small Island of Iona, Scotland, where he began work on the Book of Kells in a small scriptorium.

Practical application during our virtual classroom time will be spent learning sacred geometry and Celtic knotwork constructions, which will conclude with the creation an illuminated manuscript page.

Our work will be conducted remotely, using Canvas and Zoom. The faculty will offer alternative assignments if conditions or illness prevent students from accessing our synchronous meetings.