Studio: international art (56.1912)

Modern Illuminations

ILLUMINATED ADDRESS ON VELLUM

It is on this basis that we get beautiful editions,
and publishers vie with each other in the produc-
tion of eye-charming literature. And it is here that
lies the great possibility at all times for the hand-
work of the illuminator. It is encouraging to find
that even to-day, when the production of cheap
editions has become a craze, there is a demand for
hand-decorated work, chiefly for the use of churches
and for private collectors who appreciate and love
to possess unique volumes, artistically decorated.
The modern illuminator can find scope for his art
not only in the pages of a volume, but also in
supplying a fairly constant
demand for decorated
memorials, diplomas, testi-
monials, and similar docu-
ments, suitable for display.

This in itself is a wide
field, and one in which a
conscientious worker finds
ready remuneration. There
can, however, be no doubt
as to which branch of work
is the nobler, for in many
instances memorials and
testimonials make a bid
for publicity and ostenta-
tion, whereas in the
decorating of a book the
illuminator merely gives
beauty of form to what is al-
ready beautiful to the mind.

In its essence the art of
illumination is the evolu-
tion of beautiful hand-
writing. It was not enough
to write legibly: the feeling
which prompts us to do our
best for the delight of doing
it prompted the earliest
writers to write beautifully,
and then to ornament their
letters and, finally, their
pages. “ Perfect illumina-
tion,” writes John Ruskin,
“is only writing made
lovely,” and the simplicity
of this statement is in
keeping with the highest
traditions of the art. Illu-
mination should not be the
adding of beauty to letter-
ing, but lettering made
beautiful, a fundamental
truth in art applicable to many branches, and one
which has lamentably been forgotten since the
advent of the easel picture and the separation of
art from decoration.

Being one of the purest expressions of art, the
history of illumination dates back to the unknown
mysteries of forgotten times, when primitive races
took delight in decorating whatever met their eye.
The Egyptians decorated some of their papyri, and
no doubt other races whose recorded history is lost
did the same. About the beginning of the Christian
era we find the first links of the chain leading up to

A FARgmii 1ang^N m7K^M)}

^ EsHi5 gclditn lodes hath time to silver turned:

time too swift .OsunhiKss never ccaauig l
joutft gnuv«t time hags hath ever spumed,
But spumed in vain .iputh uvxncth txj uxnzasingl
'll BeAiiti|.stren^.ipirKAretwtiersUttWk,>^'Seen-,
/ Dutiptkt th,love Are roots.& ever green.

•m

Kilmer nou> sKaU make a hive for Kees;

And lovers' sonnets turned to hok| psalms.

A nun -At-arms must now serve, on his knees,

And Wd on pratjers.uhiiK are Age his alms:
i But though hum court to cottage he depart
His saint is sure oP his unspotted heart.

And when he saddest sits in hemekj cell.

He'll teach his suiains this carol Pur a song:
Blest he the hearts that wish mij Sovereign well.

Curst he the souls thar think her anij wrong-.
Goddess, allow this agizd nun his right,

To he iiour headsman that was nou> ijour knight.

...

S'*

Lv»i

PEELE S “ FAREWELL TO ARMS. LETTERED AND ILLUMINATED BY PHCEBE RENNELL

ToTheirmosT

GRRCIOnSS

MAjesTie^

e'lte pR6$ID€WT AND M6M8CRS
of the Royal Society of Crafts desire
to be atnono^ the first to apptuach
your Majesties on so auspicu
as your Majesties. Coronation until \
x of our most loval and devc>ted.

10 the Thione. '

all with qraiiuidc the wise and
itmnalino; pcitrcmciaj: of the Crufts 1
displayed by her late Majcsn/.QueenVvcto
duriikt; 1st cvvrmenu'tuNerei^n and «v anticipate
a briqhl future ill icier your Majesties sceptre
tor those aettvUies of tlie mee whteh huinanucj]
and adorn our civilisation.j

oflVrinq; our heartfelt allco-iaiKC
) 11 your Majesties .we Mould add our sit tmv -J]
wishes fin- a lony andpiosperxnif. rviqii. m
by peace amonq; the nations.tlw strowdtcmng j
of die cords wliich bind the Colonics to t'
Mother Country, the lushest triutnpho of J
the intellectual world, and a widespread
happiness and contentment amonq;all your lj
Majesties subjects. «.v • y - e j. • : ,

Thomas Cj oUtomiih— pRCSlOtffJT.—«

John Wainwru^U - hOHOURMty ITOASURfR^jj!
Benjamin Waiver-hoHCXWARy SCCKClAKy <


BY IVY HARPER

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