![]() ![]() The enigmatic Dragon’s Blood (third), supposedly derived from the blood spilt as elephants and dragons fought to the death, classically is derived from tree resin, principally those on the island of Socotra off the coast of Yemen. ![]() In the case of plants, woad leaves (first above) and madder root (second) form a deep blue and light pink respectively, while the shells of a beetle when dried and crushed result in Carmine Red. The vibrant colours of medieval manuscripts have their origin in the plants, animals, and minerals of the natural world. Credit is also due to the British Library, along with Patricia Lovett, for the creation of the videos embedded here that illustrate how these tools and raw materials come together in the process of making of medieval manuscripts. The manuscripts on display have been specifically selected from the Parker's collections to highlight each stage in the production of a medieval manuscript, while many of the tools and raw materials have been kindly loaned to the Library from the personal collection of Patricia Lovett MBE, a professional illuminator, calligrapher and long-term friend of the Parker Library. Each case focuses on a single aspect of the production of a medieval manuscript, from the preparation of the parchment in the first case, through to the application of gold pigments and paints in the sixth. As our last exhibition sought to explore the history of the book from scroll to codex, papyri to paper, our current exhibition seeks to delve specifically into the world of medieval books and their production.
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