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Abstract
When considering the medieval period, most people imagine brilliantly painted and gilded manuscripts but not many people actually imagine the labor behind making those manuscripts. Similarly, modern perception of a scribe tends to be a single, solitary person slaving away at the entire manuscript. Contrary to these beliefs, the process of producing a manuscript was a highly collaborative and, more importantly, highly documented process. Throughout the period, numerous treatises (or handbooks) were created documenting instructions and advice for making ink and paint, for drawing and painting, and everything in between. While it is possible for one to just read these manuscripts, a much deeper understanding of them can be gained by actually following the instructions. Over the course of a year and ongoing, the researcher has selected instructions from several treatises and followed them, producing a variety of historical materials including a range of paints, pigments, and inks. The present study seeks to display these materials and the knowledge that can be learned about these unique manuscripts via the application of hands-on research as a framework
Publication Date
2026
Keywords
Medieval manuscripts, Craft treatises, Paint, Pigment, Natural Dye, Experimental archaeology, Invisible labor
Disciplines
Medieval Studies | Other English Language and Literature
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Joshua Eckhardt
Is Part Of
VCU Graduate Research Posters