BEAUTIFUL ART, MEDIOCRE RESEARCH

From what I've been able to glean about Krystyna Weinstein, she has written a number of books on various subjects, and seems to be a big proponent of something called "Action Learning." Unfortunately, this type of learning has not enabled her to write authoritatively on either art in general or the creation of illuminated manuscripts specifically.

Don't get me wrong: the illustrations in her book, are really lovely, and have been taken from manuscripts throughout the time during which scribes were responsible for their production. Unfortunately, Weinstein does not seem to have done a lot of research to back up what she claims. She has very little to say on the variations in drawings, pigments used, even the motifs which all arose over time and geography. When she does discuss the background of the times and places, she is often wrong in her attributions.

So, if you are looking for a book to inspire your own work or simply to give you a breath of beauty when your life isn't looking so good, this is a book you might want to consider. If, however, you are still researching the hows and whys of illuminated manuscripts, look elsewhere. This is not for you. ( )

An introduction to the medieval art of illuminated manuscripts. After a short introduction covering the history and techniques involved, the book features a collection of reproductions, complete with detailed descriptions of origin and where they can be viewed today. This work covers the wide variety of material which has survived the ages, from bibles and prayer books, through historical works, natural history, medicinal guides, early atlases and even folklore and fiction.