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Subject: scribes digest V2 #138
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scribes digest          Sunday, July 5 1998          Volume 02 : Number 138



In this issue:

    Re: [scribes]: Gold Question

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Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1998 20:46:03 EDT
From: FITCHYBEAR@aol.com
Subject: Re: [scribes]: Gold Question

In a message dated 98-07-04 03:07:14 EDT, brownwell@home.com writes:

<<  Harley and Arundel Psalters, for
 example, as shown in the Decorated Letter, plates 15 & 16, or some of the
 adjacent plates (6, 8, 9, 18,  and 19).  Was it *all* leaf?  Or was it all
 painted?   >>

 Based upon my examination of the same book, I'd say that plates 15 and 16
were painted in shell gold as brushstrokes appear evident in small swirls
(almost like paisleys) my only other thought was that they were flat gilded
and the gum sandarac slightly tinted during application which would account
for the swirls and brushstrokes, allowing the illuminator to see the design
before the gold is laid. In the cases of plates 15&16, I would think that the
decision might have been made to make the entire piece harmonious....burnished
gold would have detracted from the exquisite acanthus work in the bodies of
the  caps.
 Plates 6, 8 & 9, I believe were leafed but time ravaged. I base this not upon
looking at the Illuminated caps but at the words of the text, which if
examined straight on look as flat as the caps but if you look at the bottom
end of almost all the descenders, one can see where the light is hitting the
underside of the raised area (which wouldn't be the main focus of this
picture, the decorated cap would be) it was probably shot obliquely to
minimize bounce when photographed. 
 Plates 18&19, I have seen other photos of and they appeared to be burnished.
 You asked whether or not the illuminator chose what style the painting would
take, I would say it depends on the timeframe......Head of schools or
workshops were often the designers and would make that decision, sometimes
(most especially during the rennissance) the contracts would specify the
amount of gilding, shell gold, ultramarine etc. was to be used and more
importantly who was to pay for them. Hopes this helps -JimBear

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End of scribes digest V2 #138
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