The following is written by Museum Studies Intern Joy Curry If medieval scribes knew one thing, it was the importance of fancy letters. Surviving manuscripts are decorated with gold, filigree, intricate paintings, and more methods to make the words as beautiful as possible. One type of decoration was versals: letters that are drawn rather thanContinue reading “Versals from a 15th-century Book of Hours, in order of increasing fanciness”
Tag Archives: medieval manuscript
Beware of marginal monsters
The following is written by Museum Studies Intern Joy Curry. This 14th-century book of hours may be tiny, but it is jam-packed with beasts, ranging from fish to lions to feathered dragons. It’s a marvel that so much of the art has survived, especially since the book is missing 19 miniatures. Fortunately for us, theContinue reading “Beware of marginal monsters”
Insights Gained Regarding Illustrations in Books of Hours
“From the Classroom” is a series that features some of the great work and research from students who visit our collections. Below is a blog by Allison Clark from Dr. Beth Yale’s class Transition from Manuscript to Print (HIST: 4920:0001). Insights Gained Regarding Illustrations in Books of Hours By Allison Clark Entering Special Collections forContinue reading “Insights Gained Regarding Illustrations in Books of Hours”
Iowa’s Medieval Manuscripts Collection Goes to the Dogs
The following was written by Curator of Books and Maps, Eric Ensley Iowa’s Medieval Manuscripts Collection has gone to the dogs, or at least to a new book with dog-themed decoration. Just in time for the tulips blooming across Iowa, our newest medieval book, a beautifully decorated book of hours, comes to us from late medievalContinue reading “Iowa’s Medieval Manuscripts Collection Goes to the Dogs”
YouTube Series If Books Could Talk Finishes Final Episode
If Books Could Talk is a collaboration between Heather Wacha from History Corps, a digital public history project from the History Department at the University of Iowa, Colleen Theisen, Outreach & Engagement Librarian from Special Collections, and Katie Buehner, Head of the Rita Benton Music Library from the University of Iowa Libraries. Heather Wacha researchedContinue reading “YouTube Series If Books Could Talk Finishes Final Episode”