Illumination [ELIS Classic]

“Illumination is the art of embellishing manuscripts with gold or silver and bright colors,” according to the author. “The art of illumination or manuscript painting is ancient and widespread. It flourished in Japan, China, India, Central Asia, the Near East, and Europe, as well as in pre-Columbian America. Basically, however, illumination is a medieval art par excellence that flourished mostly in Europe and the Orient until the introduction of engraved illustrations in printed books.” The history of ancient and medieval illumination is traced, with emphasis on Europe, the near East, and Central Asia.—ELIS Classic, from 1974