A Book of Miniatures

Peter Nevill, 1962 4to (33.5 cm), 144 pp. Publisher's cloth and dust-jacket (some foxing of front leaves, paper slightly toned). 132 tipped in color illustrations. "Here, in a handsome volume containing over 130 beautiful colour plates, we find a history and an interpretation of the exacting art of illumination. What is illumination? How did it begin and develop? How did it grow from mere illustrations accompanying a text to a pictorial record which shows us, down to the last detail, the life of the Middle Ages - from views of gaily clad courtiers setting out on a hunting expedition to scenes of humble people ploughing, planting and gathering the harvest. Why did this particularly vital art form eventually disappear? These questions are answered fully by the authors in a fascinating text. They also give detailed information on the various processes by which colours were made and placed on the page. We are given, too, some idea of the difficult task that the illuminator had before him, and of his devotion to his art. It was, in fact, the dedication of these men - the hard work that made their backs ache and their eyes grow, dim - that made the art of the miniature a great one." (from the blurb)