Illuminated manuscripts were a luxury item in the middle ages and mostly monks and priests used them. In the 12th century, they would used them in their religious buildings and was considered a luxury item that wealthy people could obtain.
To create a manuscript was also very time consuming. People who created illuminated manuscripts were called illuminators. During the Middle Ages, illuminators liked to stay anonymous, but that changed during the late Middle Ages. To sign their work, they would make small picture representing themselves or sign it with their name.
Illuminators could set up a shop and work solo, or they could join a guild where they could do book trades. Some illuminators even traveled around taking commissions and giving their services to wealthy families.
Early manuscripts were written on a few different things. One was vellum which is parchment made of calfskin, goatskin, or sheepskin. These different animal skins are very strong and durable, so they were able to survive for centuries. Although, these materials were quite pricey for the process to get it was quite long and complicated. It could take years of just to finish one book.
Many animals had to get skinned so they would have to kill hundreds of animals. …show more content…
Paper didn’t become available to other parts of the world until the mid-eighth century. The first people to contact the Chinese about the materials used in paper making were the Arabians. They would use materials such as linen, flax, and in few years later they would use cotton. Soon the Europeans start making paper also. Moorish Spain was where the first paper making center for Europe back in the twelfth century. Then in the fifteenth century, Europe started getting supplied by Italy for it was starting to be the greatest center for paper making. Not only was Italy thriving in the paper making business, but son was Germany, the Netherlands, and
To create a manuscript was also very time consuming. People who created illuminated manuscripts were called illuminators. During the Middle Ages, illuminators liked to stay anonymous, but that changed during the late Middle Ages. To sign their work, they would make small picture representing themselves or sign it with their name.
Illuminators could set up a shop and work solo, or they could join a guild where they could do book trades. Some illuminators even traveled around taking commissions and giving their services to wealthy families.
Early manuscripts were written on a few different things. One was vellum which is parchment made of calfskin, goatskin, or sheepskin. These different animal skins are very strong and durable, so they were able to survive for centuries. Although, these materials were quite pricey for the process to get it was quite long and complicated. It could take years of just to finish one book.
Many animals had to get skinned so they would have to kill hundreds of animals. …show more content…
Paper didn’t become available to other parts of the world until the mid-eighth century. The first people to contact the Chinese about the materials used in paper making were the Arabians. They would use materials such as linen, flax, and in few years later they would use cotton. Soon the Europeans start making paper also. Moorish Spain was where the first paper making center for Europe back in the twelfth century. Then in the fifteenth century, Europe started getting supplied by Italy for it was starting to be the greatest center for paper making. Not only was Italy thriving in the paper making business, but son was Germany, the Netherlands, and