On the history of Illuminated Manuscripts and their Facsimiles
Remembering Manfred Kramer, Among the Fathers of European Facsimile Art
“Whatever you do, do it with passion” is the mantra that guided Manfred Kramer during his entire life, and his heritage still lives within the facsimile industry. He passed away on May 3rd, and this is my way of remembering him.
The Most Delightful Model Book of All
Did you ever wonder what Medieval painters used as models? Most of them had never seen exotic animals, and Gothic letters were hard to sketch by memory. One of Milan cathedral's first architects, Giovannino de' Grassi, provided them with a model book so splendid it became a work of art in its own right. Scroll down to see the video!
As Precious as Charlemagne’s Crown
The Lorsch Gospels, written with gold ink from beginning to end, is so well-preserved one would think it was made yesterday. Yet its full-page illustrations, glowing with real silver and held together by a carved ivory cover, reflect the height of artistic brilliance of Charlemagne's court.
New Video: Boccaccio’s Decameron Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Boccaccio's Decameron in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?
From the Nile Banks to Laser Machines: Making a Papyrus Facsimile
How challenging is it to produce a papyrus facsimile? In this interview, CM Editores tell us all about how they managed to replicate a two-millennia-old treasure that merges ancient Egyptian figurative art and afterlife beliefs: the Papyrus Ani.
Bedford Hours – Unanswered Questions
You have probably heard of the Bedford Hours; many questions about this manuscript remain unanswered, so why not take the time to find out what mysteries linger on this beautifully illuminated codex?
The Sacramentary of Beauvais: A Millennium-Old Triumph of Gold
The ten surviving folios of the Sacramentary of Beauvais are the most striking portions of an 11th-century French liturgical manuscript, in which precious metals mingle with elaborate human figures on intense purple backgrounds.
Teaching Special Collections in the Time of COVID-19
Elizabeth Teviotdale used a Facsimile Finder video to teach a graduate seminar at Western Michigan University. The lesson should have taken place in the Special Collections library, but was transferred online due to the health emergency. This is the account of her experience.
Vergilius Vaticanus: A Rare Survival From the Dawn of the Literary Codex
Made in Rome in the decades after 400, the Vergilius Vaticanus, an illustrated collection of Vergil's main works, was so influential in Western art that it served as a model in the artistic circle of Raphael.
Godescalc Evangelistary Facsimile Edition: from the Scriptorium of Charlemagne to Libraries Worldwide
One of the most important manuscript commissioned by Charlemagne to celebrate his Empire, the Godescalc Evangelistary is available in a special library facsimile edition.
New Video: Vergilius Vaticanus Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Vergilius Vaticanus in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?
Fighting a Pandemic with Stories, in 14th-century Italy
Seven hundred years ago during the Black Plague, one of the fathers of European literature taught the world a unique way to survive during a lockdown: telling each other humorous and extravagant stories. The work soon became acclaimed and inspired a magnificent French manuscript.
New Video: Harmonia Macrocosmica Facsimile Edition
Once upon a time only dukes, popes, and princesses could hold a priceless artifact like the Harmonia Macrocosmica in their hands. Today, facsimiles allow you to leaf through them — well, at least virtually! So what are you waiting for?
A Vibrant, Bilingual Apocalypse From Late Medieval London
The Parker Library at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge holds a treasure of the English Gothic style, made in medieval London and shimmering with tooled gold and kaleidoscopic colors.
Lindisfarne Gospels: a 13-century-old Masterpiece
Dear fellow book lovers, why don't you "Take a Break from the Present" and watch us leaf through illuminated manuscripts from past centuries? Let's start with the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the series' highlights. If you want to know more about this manuscript, read on!