Illumination comes from the Latin illuminare - to bring to light, to enlighten. It designates both the art of decorating the manuscripts and the decor itself. The illumination clarifies the accompanying text to make it easier to read. It is an art which extends from the fall of the Roman Empire, in the 5th century until the 16th century when the printing press replaces the hands of the copyist.

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Illumination workshops at the Martin Bodmer Foundation museum:

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After a brief history of medieval writing, you will be able to create an illumination using medieval techniques, with project design, transfer and tracing in Indian ink of an ornate Lombard initial on real parchment, placing the gold leaf, color preparation with natural pigments, coloring, learning Gothic calligraphy for your name and application!

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