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Medieval Manuscripts: Crafting Books and Meaning

From quill to codex: Journey through medieval scriptoria where skilled artisans transformed parchment into illuminated treasures, shaping literacy's path.

From quill to codex: Journey through medieval scriptoria where skilled artisans transformed parchment into illuminated treasures, shaping literacy's path.

Dive into the fascinating world of medieval manuscripts with this Harvard course. Discover how the physical creation of books in the Middle Ages was intimately tied to their meaning and reception. Through examples from Harvard's Houghton Library, learn about the materials, techniques, and craftsmanship involved in producing illuminated manuscripts. Explore how the codex engaged multiple senses, blending text and image in unique ways. Gain insights into the ritual, liturgical, and practical contexts of these books, and understand how their physical properties shaped readers' experiences. This course offers a unique perspective on book history, highlighting what may be lost in the transition to digital texts.

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Medieval Manuscripts: Crafting Books and Meaning

This course includes

8 Weeks

Of Live Classes video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

Free course

What you'll learn

  • Understand the process of creating a medieval manuscript from start to finish

  • Explore the relationship between the physical form of books and their meaning

  • Analyze the interplay of materials in manuscript production

  • Examine the role of illumination in medieval manuscripts

  • Investigate how readers and listeners experienced books in the Middle Ages

  • Understand the significance of books in various medieval contexts

Skills you'll gain

Medieval Studies
Manuscript Production
Book History
Illuminated Manuscripts
Material Culture
Art History
Codicology
Medieval Literature

This course includes:

Live video

Not specified

Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

Limited Access access

Shareable certificate

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Module Description

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of medieval manuscript production and its significance. Students will learn about the entire process of creating a medieval codex, from the preparation of materials to the final decorative elements. The curriculum covers the various shapes, sizes, formats, and materials used in manuscript production, as well as the considerations of craft that influenced the final product. Participants will gain insights into how the physical properties of manuscripts conditioned readers' interactions with the text. The course emphasizes the intimate relationship between making and meaning in medieval book production, exploring how text and image were often inseparable in illuminated manuscripts. By examining a wide range of examples from Harvard's Houghton Library, students will develop a deep understanding of the tactile and visual nature of medieval books and their role in various contexts, including ritual, liturgical, devotional, educational, and practical settings.

Fee Structure

Instructor

Distinguished Scholar of Medieval Art and Manuscript Illumination

Jeffrey F. Hamburger, born in 1957, serves as the Kuno Francke Professor of German Art and Culture at Harvard University, where he has taught since 2000. After completing his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Yale University, he held positions at Oberlin College and the University of Toronto before joining Harvard's faculty. His groundbreaking research focuses on medieval religious art, manuscript illumination, and the relationship between art, mysticism, and theology. His major works include "The Rothschild Canticles" (1990), "Nuns as Artists" (1997), and "The Visual and the Visionary" (1998), along with recent publications such as "Color in Cusanus" (2021) and "The Birth of the Author" (2021). His scholarly excellence has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Charles Rufus Morey Prize, the Jacques Barzun Prize, and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He was elected to the Medieval Academy of America (2001), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2009), and the American Philosophical Society (2010). His current work includes research on medieval diagrams, female monasticism, and the organization of major exhibitions showcasing medieval manuscripts

Medieval Manuscripts: Crafting Books and Meaning

This course includes

8 Weeks

Of Live Classes video lessons

Beginner Level

Completion Certificate

awarded on course completion

Free course

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Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.