Blogum scribo
|
He may not be bearing chocolate eggs under his hood, but the Medieval Monk does bring everyone a treat at this most important time of year... a visual exploration of the calculating of Easter!  Detail of a monogram at the beginning of the Office of Easter with zoomorphic and interlace decoration. © British Library Board. London, British Library, Additional MS 30850 (Burgos, Silos, N. Spain, 4th quarter of 11th century or 1st quarter of 12th century), folio 105v. Blessed, blessed, blessed readers,
You are all thrice blessed at this special time of year: You have the blessings of the Lord, who laid down his earthly body for your eternal salvation. You have the blessings of your fellows who, I'm sure, are keen to wish you abundant spiritual blessings when they hand you a chocolate Easter egg. And you have the very thoughtful blessings of your humble servant, the Medieval Monk, who has gone to great pains to exploit the British Library's catalogue of illuminated manuscripts in order to bless your eyes with Easter related images. Why, just look at that exquisite Easter monogram at the top! Reminiscent of the type of artwork seen on my shores, here in England, but actually produced by my Benedictine brethren at the monastery of Santos Domingo de Silos in eleventh-century Spain. Delightful! But a medieval Easter is not all exquisite interlacing and zoomorphic illumination. No, for there is much work to be done... |
