Disbound and Dispersed: The History of Illuminated Manuscripts
Unknown (Italian, 15th century), Adoration of the Magi, ink, gouache and gold leaf on parchment, 13.0 x 12.2 cm., Formerly in the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Harold Murchison Tovell and purchased from their son Dr. H.M.M. Tovell of New York with the assistance of the Government of Canada through the Cultural Property Export and Import Act. 1987, 88/90
Disbound and Dispersed: The History of Illuminated Manuscripts
Assistant curator of European art, Sasha Suda, discusses the living history of illuminated manuscripts. Manuscripts were illuminated in medieval times to illustrate text and to help communicate its meaning. Text and image functioned as a single language to religious audiences. As devotional practices changed, the text in some manuscripts lost significance while the illuminations took on new meaning as works of art. In many cases, manuscripts were disbound and single folios or cuttings dispersed throughout the world.
The talk is held in conjunction with the special exhibition Revealing the Renaissance: Art in Early Florence, on view from March 16 to June 16, 2013.