Visual Journal Assignment: Jon Hinkel and Alison Aune, instructors
This assignment for the Visual Journal class in London is based on the Sir John
Ritblat Treasures of the British Library Gallery.
LOCATION: 96 Euston Road, (tube) King's Cross
OPENING TIMES OF THE BRITISH LIBRARY GALLERIES AT ST PANCRAS
Friday 09:30-18:00
Saturday 09:30-17:00 *SIE Course instructors will be there from 10am-12noon and
available students wishing to have an informal gallery tour
The focus of this assignment is on Medieval-Renaissance manuscripts. Students are
encouraged to visit the on-line gallery (www.bl.uk) before the library visit. Selected
manuscript examples can be studied on-line and term definitions can be found.
Based on these basic categories, students will directly analyze the works in the library
gallery. Students are encouraged to expand their answers, create selected sketches,
and to critically interpret the manuscripts in terms of their intrinsic (formal) and
extrinsic (cultural context) qualities. The results of this assignment will be discussed,
and integrated into studio work, in class on Tuesday October 10th.
I. Analyze several examples of Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts
1. Find a Gospel:
Title:
Date (if known):
Size:
Media:
Function:
Calligraphic and Design Qualities:
Other:
2. Find a Book of Hours:
Title:
Date (if known):
Size:
Media:
Function:
Calligraphic and Design Qualities:
Other:
3. Find a Psalter:
Title:
Date (if known):
size:
Function:
Calligraphic and Design Qualities:
4. Find a Missal:
Title:
Date (if known):
Size:
Media:
Function:
Calligraphic and Design Qualities:
other:
5. Find a copy of the Gutenberg Bible:
Title:
Date:
Size:
Media:
Function:
Calligraphic and Design and technical qualities:
other:
II. Analyze several examples of British Medieval-Renaissance Literary Texts
Find a these original British texts and describe the technique (calligraphy or
letter press), paper or vellum, page design, overall visual qualities (note: use
the gallery headsets, and additional research outside of the gallery, to note the
literary background and significance)
1. Canterbury Tales
2. Beowolf
3. Shakespeare folio
III. The Lindisfarne Gospels (the original is in storage. This is a facsimile):
Examine the calligraphic style, the text, illuminations, page designs, and overall
impression of the manuscript. What are your reactions? Sketch samples of
knotwork and interlacing designs for your journal.
IV. Book Binding.
Examine the cases of bound books. Note the technical and aesthetic qualities.
Choose a favourite book cover.
Describe it in terms of:
materials used
gold ornamentation
craftmanship
other