Illumination Codes?

[Shiftkitty]

Okay, I just woke up from a nap and I wanted to throw the dream out here before I forget it just in case it's something:

I'm in a medieval monastery and am crafting illuminations for a manuscript. I'm working from a book of illuminations that has very specific instructions for what elements to use, what colors, etc. The odd part is that the illuminations I'm making are meant to convey a message to a specific set of eyes. Yes, they're encoded! ("Okay, if the illumination shows a guy harvesting wheat and he's wearing a grey tunic, then it refers to the duke. If the next one shows a lady on horseback in a blue gown with a dove flying overhead, then it means he's going on a journey to Paris.")

Was this sort of thing done?

 

[BriarRose]

It seems logical to me that it would have been. The Middle Ages were dangerous times, especially when the church involved itself in the affairs of nobles, or upheavals in Rome. There was a lot of intrigue. It sounds as if you were involved in deep business - sort of a real life Cadfael?

 

[Cryscat]

Yes, they each had a meaning. I had a past life as an illuminator as well, in south-east England.


In this current life, I went to a Getty exhibit on the wonderful Middle Age illuminated books. I do remember that The Getty did have a list of codes at the exhibit, but never got a photo of that. I also don't remember the codes from that past life either.

 

[Shiftkitty]

Really?!? Coded illuminations? For all my reading of the lives of commoners and peasants in the Middle Ages, I had never thought about monks and secret codes in the illuminations. Whoa! Pardon me while I trip out!

 

[BriarRose]

That's so cool. I love this site. Whatever you need to know, someone remembers!

 

[Cryscat]

Ok, I found an example. I have a book of Ornaments made by the Metropolitan Museum of Art back in the mid 1990's. Its based on The Belles Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry (30 November 1340 – 15 June 1416).


Book of Hours (heures) are devotional books intended for private use. They contain prayers and readings arranged according to the eight canonical hours of the day observed in monastic life. They may also include a calender of saints' days and feasts of the church.


Each month is represented by a typical task or activity as well as a zodiac emblem. Janus (the new year) is represented by a young man and old man; Virgo, by a lovely young maiden holding a palm leaf and a branch; a courtier out hawking to celebrate May Day, would represent an activity done at that time (May).

 

[Shiftkitty]

I'll have to see if I can scrape up some cash and buy that book (if it's available). Thanks for the tip!