Les Enluminures

Today we explore the gap in time between historical events and the present. Between then and now is a gap that creates desire and longing for contact. Creative attempts to close that gap produced a series of “revivalist” movements in the nineteenth century. Through our current exhibition “Ideal Jewels” we discuss the rise of art jewelry, the Pre-Raphaelites, and how revival iconography connects with the present day. What did St. Augustine and Aristotle think about time? What materials did revival jewelers use to research their designs? How can we connect the Victorian era with the medieval period? Find out today on the Les Enluminures podcast. 

Resources:

The Ideal Past: Revival Jewels

Carolyn Dinshaw, How Soon is Now?: Medieval Texts, Amature Readers, and the Queerness of Time

Paper makers in Fabriano developed the use of wire-made signs as identifying marks in the Middle Ages. Today we call these impressions “watermarks”— the papermakers’ logo and calling card. Find out more about the history and development of papermaking and watermarks in some of the oldest medieval paper mills and discover their use in identifying the provenance and production of medieval manuscripts and drawings. 

Resources:

TM 1181:  Carthusian Ordinarium for the Mass and Office

In this discussion of our mid-fifteenth century copy of Guido da Colomna’s Historia destructionis Troiae (History of the Destruction of Troy) we cover the history of the Sibylline Oracle, the Middle English copies of the Troiae, and the composition of our manuscript. We chat about the role of the scribe/author in creating the histories of Troy, why there is such a revival of interest in the Trojan war in the medieval period, and the interesting addition of the Sibylline text at the very end of the codex. 

Resources: GUIDO DA COLOMNA, Historia destructionis Troiae (History of the Destruction of Troy); Extract from the Sibylline prophecies

Today we will cover a fascinating early printing process, still in wide use today–– stenciling! Beginning with the history of the stencil and moving into the use of stencils in choir books, this podcast will cover the basic processes of stenciling, discussing how they developed and were used in sacred and secular settings. From the Carthusians to Pablo Picasso, stencils have been used in art for centuries as pattern making tools that create beautiful, crisp images and lines. 

Resources:

Eric Kindel, (2019) “Stencil: a descriptive bibliography.” Éditions à

jour

Choir Book with Selected Texts for the Mass and Office

The new year is a time that has inspired gifting and exchange throughout history in recognition of new beginnings. Yet, the date of New years has moved around frequently as calendars have shifted and it has been celebrated in many different ways. Today, we take a look at some of the different celebrations that occurred in medieval Europe, ending with a quick look at an iconic moment of gifting painted in many Books of Hours: the Adoration of the Magi. What were medieval joyaux and what does Quasimodo have to do with new years celebrations? Find out today on the Les Enluminures podcast. 

Resources: 

Göldene Rössl 

Minnekästchen Casket with Two Lovers 

Thourotte Hours (BOH215) 

Book of Hours by the Master of the Prayerbooks of 1500 (BOH205) 

The Rise of the Black Magus in Western Art 

All around the world glittering decorations and lawn sculptures are appearing as December 25th draws near. Have you ever wondered why we associate twinkling lights, holly, or lawn sculptures with Christmas celebrations? Why are animals always included in depictions of the Nativity? Is there a reason the Virgin Mary is often depicted kneeling beside her son right after giving birth? Find out about medieval nativity illuminations, the history of the sculptural crèche and the origins of Christmas decorations today on the Les Enluminures podcast.

Resources: 

Neapolitan Crèche, 18th century, Art Institute of Chicago 

The Hours of Le Goux de La Berchère (Use of Paris)

The Hours of Françoise de Foix 

Christmas season is upon us and as the day approaches, we will examine a few different, special types of images associated with the Virgin Mary and the infant Christ. Today we discuss the very first major illumination in the hours of the Virgin: the Annunciation. When did annunciation images become so popular? How can these images help us see some of the philosophical debates at the turn of the sixteenth century? A subject particularly concerned with vision, manifestation, and light, how can we see combinations of “Renaissance” and “Gothic” mentalities in the composition of Annunciation paintings? Find out today on the Les Enluminures podcast.  

Resources:

Book of Hours (Use of Rome) 

The Calcagni Hours (Use of Rome) 

Today we cover some important jewelry production basics: gemstone cutting or lapidary. Do you know the difference between a cabochon and a raw stone? Why do we continue to use cabochon stones today? And what inspired lapidarists to begin making those iconic, geometric planes we call ‘facets’?  Find out today on the Les Enluminures podcast. 

Resources: 

Byzantine Gemstone Ring set with an Amethyst

Renaissance Marriage Portrait Cameo Ring

Fashion blossomed during the Renaissance with elaborate, fantastical costumes and luxurious jewelry. Today, we take a look at one type of wearable Renaissance artwork; the portrait pendant. What is a pendant? How was the Renaissance concept of fashion different from our own? And who made these luxurious objects? 

Resources

Pendant with Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven

Metropolitan Museum of Art Commesso Pendant 

Winter is a time for holiday celebrations, family, and food. As the winter fast approaches in this last November episode we consider feasts and feasting. This was an important topic for medieval people that was frequently the subject of manuscript illumination. What is the origin of the term “feast,” and who could host a feast? What makes ‘feast days’ so important to understanding medieval life? And why did Jesus turn water into wine? Find out today, on the Les Enluminures podcast. 

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