Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts
"This is a book about why medieval manuscripts matter. The idea for the book, which is entirely new, is to invite the reader into intimate conversations with twelve of the most famous manuscripts in existence and to explore with the author what they tell us about nearly a thousand years of medieval history -- and sometimes about the modern world too. Part travel book, part detective story, part conversation with the reader, Meetings with remarkable manuscripts conveys the fascination and excitement of encountering some of the greatest works of art in our culture which, in the originals, are to most people completely inaccessible."
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What Hacker News says
- (Re-using an old comment of mine from a different thread [0])
If you're curious on medieval manuscripts, definitely checkout the following:
Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts [1] by Christopher de Hameml — get a hardcover edition of this book; it has absolutely gorgeous selection of artwork from 12 of the most spectacular "illuminated manuscripts" (including the Book of Kells) in the world. The writer is a marvelous storyteller. This hardcover edition is one of my "prized possessions".
You can browse a lot of these works in great detail on this[2] excellent visual arts website by the Getty Research Institute website.
E.g. you can find the 16th century illuminated manuscript, "Spinola Hours" hereYou have to scroll twice to see the list of 182 images. And you can in turn browse the illustrations it such this[3] calendar-page miniature painting for the month of May. You can see people singing and making merry on a boat, along with other drawings—all on a small page.
Note though, one doesn't need to be religious in any sense (I'm not) to appreciate these art works.
[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29902560
[1] https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316549/meetings-wit...
[2] https://www.getty.edu/art/
[3] https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/1401/master-of-...
- If you're into this sort of calligraphy, absolutely check out these works:
• The Book of Kells[1] in Dublin — this is considered to be the masterpiece of Western calligraphy. If you're ever in Dublin, don't leave without paying a visit to this!
• Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts by Christopher de Hameml — get a hardcover edition of this book; it has absolutely gorgeous selection of artwork from 12 of the most spectacular "illuminated manuscripts" (including the Book of Kells) in the world. The writer is a marvelous storyteller. This hardcover edition is definitely one of my "prized possessions".
You can browse a lot of these works in great detail on this[3] excellent visual arts website by the Getty Research Institute website.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells
[2] https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316549/meetings-wit...
- A delightful book I've been savouring over several months: Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts[1].
Let's hear from the abstract:
"[...] The idea for the book, which is entirely new, is to invite the reader into intimate conversations with twelve of the most famous manuscripts in existence and to explore with the author what they tell us about nearly a thousand years of medieval history - and sometimes about the modern world too. Christopher de Hamel introduces us to kings, queens, saints, scribes, artists, librarians, thieves, dealers, collectors and the international community of manuscript scholars, showing us how he and his fellows piece together evidence to reach unexpected conclusions. He traces the elaborate journeys which these exceptionally precious artefacts have made through time and space, shows us how they have been copied, who has owned them or lusted after them (and how we can tell), how they have been embroiled in politics and scholarly disputes, how they have been regarded as objects of supreme beauty and luxury and as symbols of national identity. The book touches on religion, art, literature, music, science and the history of taste.
"Part travel book, part detective story, part conversation with the reader, Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts conveys the fascination and excitement of encountering some of the greatest works of art in our culture which, in the originals, are to most people completely inaccessible. At the end, we have a slightly different perspective on history and how we come by knowledge. It is a most unusual book."
Don't let the page count (~550, modulo references) discourage you. The hardcover edition absolutely enhances the reading experience—it's beautifully bound, has plenty of pictures of medieval manuscripts, calligraphic exemplars and more. (I've mentioned it previously here[2].)- - -[1] https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/213/213069/meetings-with-rem...
- Speaking of handwriting ... I recently took up Copperplate (also called "English Roundhand") calligraphy. It is one of the oldest European scripts, originated in 17th century England.
Here are a couple of samples from my practice (of 3 weeks) :-)
https://kashyapc.fedorapeople.org/Copperplate_practice_1.jpg
https://kashyapc.fedorapeople.org/Copperplate_practice_2.jpg
What inspired me was this book called Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts[1], which has samples of great calligraphy from centuries old manuscripts, among many other interesting things. (Previously mentioned it on HN here[2].)
And I am learning Copperplate script itself from a wonderful book, Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy, by Eleanor Winters.
I'm thoroughly enjoying the entire process. Including the experience of using a proper nib, calligraphic ink and the oblique nib holder. The oblique pen holder (can be seen in the first image linked above) is really helpful, as Copperplate script requires letters be at a 55 degree angle; also lets you avoid having your wrist twisted in an awkward way.
[1] https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/213/213069/meetings-with-rem...
- A special book that I'm thoroughly enjoying right now: "Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts"[1].
Why? I'll let the abstract speak:
"[...] The idea for the book, which is entirely new, is to invite the reader into intimate conversations with twelve of the most famous manuscripts in existence and to explore with the author what they tell us about nearly a thousand years of medieval history - and sometimes about the modern world too. Christopher de Hamel introduces us to kings, queens, saints, scribes, artists, librarians, thieves, dealers, collectors and the international community of manuscript scholars, showing us how he and his fellows piece together evidence to reach unexpected conclusions. He traces the elaborate journeys which these exceptionally precious artefacts have made through time and space, shows us how they have been copied, who has owned them or lusted after them (and how we can tell), how they have been embroiled in politics and scholarly disputes, how they have been regarded as objects of supreme beauty and luxury and as symbols of national identity. The book touches on religion, art, literature, music, science and the history of taste.
"Part travel book, part detective story, part conversation with the reader, Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts conveys the fascination and excitement of encountering some of the greatest works of art in our culture which, in the originals, are to most people completely inaccessible. At the end, we have a slightly different perspective on history and how we come by knowledge. It is a most unusual book."
PS: Get the hardcover edition—absolutely worth it, especially given the subject matter; it's about 600 pages (don't let the page count discourage you) and is beautifully bound, with lots of educating pictures of internals of manuscripts, calligraphic masterpieces and much more.- - -[1] https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/213/213069/meetings-with-rem...
- Couple out of the box ones:
Lost Languages - Andrew Robinson. Starts with the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs, Mayan hieroglyphs, and "Minoan" Linear B, then goes into detail about many still undeciphered writing systems. Existing examples, what's been studied and tried, the personalities of people involved, etc. Fascinating stuff. One of the few examples of the "Isthmian script" or epi-Olmec script[0] (a precursor to the Mayan writing system) is owned by the Smithsonian Natural History museum, and while I think they usually keep it in storage, it coincidentally was on display this summer and I took a trip to go see it after reading the book.
Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts - Christopher de Hamel. 12 different medieval manuscripts the author goes to visit. Describes their history, where they are now and what it's like to see them, contains many detailed reproductions of pages, etc. Not at all dry; the author writes well and adds bits of humor, while still getting across all the necessary details.
