Illuminated Manuscripts- Leaves and Plants

Leaves and plants appear in most manuscripts and offer unique challenges for the beginner.  Instead of re-designing the wheel, I encourage my students to refer to the Göttingen Model Book.  This unique manuscript dates from the mid-15th century and was originally housed in a monastery. The manuscript reached Göttingen around 1770 as part of the bequest of the library of Johann Friedrich Armand von Uffenbach to Göttingen.

It is an instructions manual book for the drawing of initials, leaves and patterned backgrounds in different colour combinations; even the composition of the colours is described in great detail. The book designs shown in this manuscript can be observed in the earliest period of print in several Gutenberg Bibles, including the Göttingen copy, B42. 

Not only a useful comparison of the shapes and colours, but also microphotographic tests have shown that even the layering of the colours corresponds perfectly to the instructions in the manuscript.  With its clear and precise instructions on how to lay out and apply colours, this Model Book also plays a vital role in the research into the techniques involved in medieval book creation.

Please note: The translation and images are from http://www.gutenbergdigital.de/

I have assembled the translation and images for ease of use by English speaking illuminators and do not claim any of the content to be my own.

Gottengen Model Book.pdf

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