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last updated: 5/13/2012

FINA-A 323 Illuminated Manuscripts in the Middle Ages: Form, Function, and Audience

Instructor: Diane Reilly

Lecture: Monday, Wednesday 9:30am-10:45am

Spring 2012


Course Description:

From the fourth century a.d., artists created elaborate decorations and illustrations in manuscripts of sacred and secular texts. Mean to delight as well as instruct, these illustrations commented on the text at the same time that they enchanted the reader with visions and stories from the book itself. Starting with the invention of the codex in the first century, and continuing to the end of the Middle Ages, this course will investigate the tools, methods and inspiration behind the creation of the medieval manuscript. Lectures will survey the most important types of manuscripts, such as Psalters, Apocalypses and Books of Hours, and the most famous schools of manuscript illumination, such as the Hiberno-Saxon artists who produced works like the Book of Kells. The preferred audience of the manuscripts, from the embattled Mozarabic Christians of Spain, to noble women of the later Middle Ages, will also be investigated. This class will take place in the Lilly Library, and take advantage of the Lilly's extensive collection of medieval manuscripts and fragments.


What are the Main Assignments?

1. (For undergraduates) Two term tests, each worth 20%. Tests will be made up of manuscript identifications and short essays based on the material from the lectures and readings.

2. (For undergraduates) Questions based on the assigned readings, 10%. These will be announced in class and on Oncourse, and will be turned in using the 'assignments' feature of Oncourse. 

3. (For graduate students) Annotated bibliography of all graduate and undergraduate readings, aside from the textbook, 20%. 

4. In class presentation and 2000-word research paper, 20% (4,000 for graduate students and worth 50%). Each presentation and research paper will be focused on one of the manuscripts in the Lilly collection.

5. Final exam, 20%. Same format as the term tests. 


Illuminated Manuscripts Resources


 

Need help with your research? Contact:

Emilee Mathews, Interim Head of the Fine Arts Library for a research appointment or email the staff at the Fine Arts Library.

 

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last updated: 5/13/2012