The Art of Illuminating

'The art of illuminating as practised in Europe from the earliest times. Illustrated by borders, initial letters, and alphabets' selected and chromolithographed by W. R. Tymms; with an essay and instructions by M. D. Wyatt. Published by Day and Son in London in 1860.

In his introductory essay M. Digby Wyatt describes this work as 'The Art of Illuminating: what it was, what it should be, and how it may be practised' in the hopes that illumination may be revived as one of the most graceful decorative arts.

The plates that follow represent the most vibrant and interesting of each century, with descriptions from the text as to their origins, and where possible, links to the original manuscripts.

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