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The Art of the Illumination

Press Release

THE ART OF ILLUMINATION, an exhibit of early examples of the exquisite art of book illumination featuring images from the famous 11th century illuminated manuscript, the Beatus Apocalypse of Saint Sever will officially open at the Museum of Ancient and Modern Art on Thursday, March 7th with an evening reception from 7 - 9 p.m. The public is cordially invited to attend. The exhibit will remain on display until August31. Special activities focusing on the Middle Ages will be offered at the Museum throughout the duration of this exhibit.

The Beatus Apocalypse of Saint Sever was produced for Abbot Gregory Mumtaner (1028 - 1072), the head of the Gascon Monastery in the western Pyrenees and clearly shows the transition from Mozarabic to Romanesque art. This exhibit offers viewers a rarely seen expression of this art form during the Romanesque period so named because of the lingering influence of Roman art on it. THE ART OF ILLUMINATION is an introduction to an artistic medium which began in the 5th Century A.D. when papyrus had been replaced by vellum and handmade books emerged and became increasingly desirable. Manuscript illumination flourished with great splendor throughout the Middle Ages until the invention of the printing press in 1500 A.D.

The early phase of manuscript illumination flowered under the patronage of monasteries where the written word was preserved. Later great lay patrons of the arts like the Duke Jean de Berry, Anne de Bretange, Piero de Medici and the Duke of Bedford emerged.

A panel showing the interior of a scriptorium is displayed. The exhibit covers the preparation of parchment, pens and inks, design decorations, painting the manuscript and applying the gold leaf, and binding the finished manuscript.

The Museum of Ancient and Modern Art is located in the Wildwood Business Center, 11392 Pleasant Valley Rd., Penn Valley. Tours are Monday through Saturday, noon until 5 p.m. and admission is free. There is plenty of free parking and wheeel chair access can be accessed from the rear of the building. For further information call (530)432-3080.