All talks £10 inc refreshments (not changed since 2007) Places are limited so book early.

Fridays 11 a.m. & 7.30 p.m. Tel 01372 272235 or email ashteadartlovers@gmail.com to book

Friday 30th November

Illuminated Manuscripts Fit for a King.

Illuminated manuscripts were expensive luxury items. Originally created in religious scriptoria, the first were illuminated religious books. Soon centres of excellence for illumination and transcribing books other than devotional texts emerged. We are extremely lucky in that our British Library holds a superb collection of illuminated manuscripts that were produced for kings, princes, nobles and those aspiring to the gentry. Owning an illuminated book was one way of showing your wealth and status.

We will look at all types of illuminated manuscripts. Many give us a glimpse of the artist, but most are by anonymous painters who go by the soubriquet "The Master of ...". This particular image (below) is from a book of instruction for a prince written by Henry VII's keeper of the royal library, Quentin Poulet. Here a knight is introduced to a man without chivalry by Lady Imagination. Clearly the unchivalrous man will always be easily recognised by the space between his elbows and his shoulders! The artist has included a visual pun on Poulet's name in the margin at the bottom of the page.

Some books came into the royal library because they were the spoils of war; others because they were gifts. Some were handed down through families and include personal notes in the calendars giving us a close connection with the owner and the world around them.

The golden age of illumination was from the mid 15th - mid 16th centuries and centred on three workshops, the David, the Horenbout and the Bening. By the 1540s Simon Bening was the last man standing and is considered the last of the great illuminators. We shall be looking at some manuscripts that came from these workshops so you can see for yourselves their beauty and the symbolism contained in both the large pages and also the margins.

Since this is the last talk before Christmas, there will be a seasonal flavour!

Spaces are limited so let me know if you want to come. 01372 272235 or email: ashteadartlovers@gmail.com Still £10 since 2007. Refreshments included.