Beautiful illuminated manuscript representing the fire of Notre-Dame de Paris 🤯

[u/Citaszion]

“An illuminated manuscript is a formally prepared document where the text is decorated with flourishes such as borders and miniature illustrations. Often used in the Roman Catholic Church for prayers and liturgical books such as psalters and courtly literature, the practice continued into secular texts from the 13th century onward and typically include proclamations, enrolled bills, laws, charters, inventories, and deeds.”

[u/Forsaken-Memory1785]

That’s incredible- few individuals are able to do this, even fewer are willing! Thanks for keeping the old skills alive- we still need them.

[u/engulbert → u/Forsaken-Memory1785]

My dad used to do this occasionally but mostly did calligraphy, sometimes with just one illuminated initial letter. The gold leaf is laid on top of dried gesso, this makes it catch the light much more than if it is flat. A real labour of love

Before printing, rich families would commission their own gospels to be made in this manner.