file :i* includes ! orig9al             
illu/rations4       ,see #dfbda-;h4htm  
or #dfbda-;h4zip3                       
7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/ca*e_/epub_/
#dfbda_/pg#dfbda-;images4html7       or 
7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/files_/#dfbd
a_/dfbda-;h4zip7         ,images ( !    
orig9al pages are available ?r\gh       
,int]net ,ar*ive4 ,see                  
https3_/_/ar*ive4org_/details_/som5oteso
ne>ly#jjmorrri*      ,,"s ,,notes ,,on  
,,e>ly ,,woodcut ,,books1 ,,) ,a ,,*apt]
 ,,on ,,illum9at$ ,,manuscripts1  by    
,,william ,,morris        ,copyright1   
#aijb ,by ,h4 ,m4 ,o',kane              
,illu/ration3 ,f ,t]5ce's ,eunu*us1     
,ulm1 ,conrad ,d9ckmut1 #adhf     ,notes
 on ,woodcut ,books   ,,on ,,! ,,arti/ic
 ,,qualities ,,( ,,! ,,woodcut ,,books  
,,( ,,ulm ,,& ,,augsburg ,,9 ,,!        
,,fifte5? ,,c5tury4   ,! inv5tion (     
pr9t+ books1 & ! use ( wood-blocks =    
book ornam5t 9 place ( h&-pa9t+1 ?\gh x 
belongs to ! p]iod ( ! degradation (    
m$ival art1 gave an opportunity to !    

,g]mans to rega9 ! place :i* !y _h lo/ 9
 ! art ( book decoration dur+ ! ?irte5? 
& f\rte5? c5turies4 ,?is opportunity !y 
took ) vig\r & success1 & by means ( x  
put =? works :i* %[$ ! be/ & mo/        
ess5tial qualities ( _! race4           
,unhappily1 ev5 at ! "t ( _! fir/       
woodcut book1 ! beg9n+ ( ! end 0 on !m2 
ab\t ?irty ye>s aft]w>ds !y receiv$ !   
,r5aissance ) s+ul> eag]ness & rapidity1
 & became1 f ! arti/ic po9t ( view1 a   
nation ( rhetorical p$ants4 ,an         
exception mu/ be made1 h[ev]1 z to      
,alb]t ,dr]2 =1 ?\gh 8 me?od 0 infect$  
by ! ,r5aissance1 8 mat*less imag9ation 
& intellect made him ?or\ghly ,go?ic 9  
_s4 ,among/ ! pr9t+ localities ( ,g]many
 ! two neighb\r+ cities ( ,ulm &        
,augsburg develop$ a s*ool ( woodcut    
book ornam5t second to none z to "*1 &1 
,i ?9k1 m num]\sly repres5t$ ?an any    
o!r4 ,i am oblig$ to l9k ! two cities1  
because ! e>ly s*ool at lea/ is common  
to bo?2 b ! ornam5t$ works produc$ by   
,ulm are b few comp>$ ) ! prolific bir? 

( ,augsburg4  ,x is a matt] ( c\rse t ! 
names ( ! arti/s :o design$ ^!          
wood-blocks %\ld n h be5 record$1 any m 
?an ^? ( ! numb]less illum9ators ( !    
lovely writt5 books ( ! ?irte5? &       
f\rte5? c5turies2 ! names "u :i* ! ,ulm 
& ,augsburg picture-books are kn[n are  
all ^? ( _! pr9t]s4 ,( ^! by f> ! mo/   
di/+ui%$ are ! k9sm5 7_! degree ( k9%ip 
is n kn[n71 ,gun!r ,za9] ( ,augsburg &  
,john ,za9] ( ,ulm4 ,ne>ly p>allel ) ^! 
9 date are ,ludwig ,hoh5wang & ,john    
,bml] ( ,augsburg1 toge!r ) ,pflanzmann 
( ,augsburg1 ! pr9t] ( ! fir/ illu/rat$ 
,g]man ,bible4 ,an?ony ,sorg1 a little  
lat] ?an ^!1 0 a pr9t] some:at inf]ior1 
r a repr9t] 9 fact1 b by d9t ( reus+ !  
old blocks1 or gett+ !m recut & 9 "s    
cases r$esign$1 n always to _!          
disadvantage1 produc$ "s v beautiful    
books4 ,s*o5sp]g]1 :o pr9t$ "r into !   
sixte5? c5tury1 us$ blocks :i* 7 rud]   
?an ! e>li] ones1 ?r\gh c>elessness1 &  
,i suppose probably because ( ! aim at  
*eapness2 8 books t5d t[>ds ! *ap-book  

k9d4  ,! e>lie/ ( ^! picture-books ) a  
date is ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,gold5 ,leg5d1 ! 
fir/ "p ( :i* 0 pr9t$ 9 #adga2 b1 z !   
mo/ important f ! arti/ic po9t ( view1  
,i %\ld "n3 fir/1 ,gun!r ,za9]'s        
,speculum ,human ,salvationis 7undat$ b 
probably ( #adga72 second1 ,john ,za9]'s
 ,boccaccio ,de ,cl>is ,muli]ibus 7dat$ 
9 a cut1 z well z 9 ! colophon1 #adgc72 
?ird1 ! sop1 pr9t$ by bo? ! ,za9]s1 b ,i
 d n "k by :i* fir/1 z x is undat$2     
f\r?1 ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,spiegel des       
,m5s*li*5 leb5s 7undat$ b ab\t #adge71 )
 :i* mu/ be tak5 8 ,g]man ,belial1 !    
cuts ( :i* are und\bt$ly design$ by !   
same arti/1 & cut by ! same h&1 t cut ! 
be/ 9 ! ,spiegel above m5tion$2 fif?1 a 
beautiful little book1 ! /ory (         
,sigismonda & ,guisc>d1 by ,gun!r ,za9]1
 undat$2 six?1 ,tub]9us1 die ges*i*t von
 ,symon1 :i* is ! /ory ( a late ,g]man  
,hugh ( ,l9coln1 pr9t$ by ,g4 ,za9] ab\t
 #adge2 sev5?1 ,john ,bml]s ,das bu* d] 
,natur 7#adge71 ) _m full-page cuts (   
mu* int]e/2 eigh?1 by ! same pr9t]1 ,das

 bu* von d5 #g ,todsnd5 und d5 #g       
,tug5d5 7#adgd72 n9?1 ,bml]'s ,spr5g]'s 
,ros5cranz ,brud]s*aft1 ) only two cuts1
 b ^? mo/ rem>kable4  ,to ^! may be add$
 z transitional 79 date at lea/71 betwe5
 ! e>li] & ! lat] s*ool next to be      
m5tion$1 two really *>act]i/ic books    
pr9t$ by ,sorg3  7a7 ,d] ,seusse1 a book
 ( my/ical devotion1 #adhb1 &  7b7 !    
,c\ncil ( ,con/ance1 pr9t$ 9 #adhc2 !   
latt] be+1 z f> z its cuts are conc]n$1 
ma9ly h]aldic4  ,at ,ulm1 h[ev]1 a lat] 
s*ool arose aft] a transitional book1   
,leon>d ,hol's spl5did ,ptolemy ( #adhb2
 ( ?is s*ool "o pr9t]'s "n1 ,conrad     
,d9ckmut1 includes all ! mo/ rem>kable  
books3 to wit1 ,d] ,seel5-wurzg>t5      
7#adhc71 ,das bu* d] ,wei%eit 7#adhe71 !
 ,swabian ,*ronicle 7#adhf71 ,t]5ce's   
,eunu*us 79 ,g]man7 7#adhf74 ,la/ly1    
,john ,reg]'s ,descriptio ,obsidionis   
,rhodi 7#adif7 wor?ily closes ! s]ies ( 
! ,ulm books4  ,x %\ld "h be said t1    
ap>t f _! pictures1 ! ,ulm & ,augsburg  
books are notewor?y = _! bord] & lett]  

decoration4 ,! ,ulm pr9t]1 ,john ,za9]1 
9 especial %one 9 ! production ( bord]s4
 ,8 ,de ,cl>is ,muli]ibus excels all !  
o!r books ( ! s*ool 9 ?is matt]2 !      
initial ,s ( bo? ! ,lat9 & ! ,g]man     
editions be+ ! mo/ elaborate & beautiful
 piece ( its k9d2 &1 fur!rmore1 ! ,g]man
 edition has a bord] almo/ equal to ! ,s
 9 beauty1 ?\gh diff]5t 9 "*1 hav+ !    
%ield ( ,scotl& support$ by angels 9 !  
corn]4 ,a v h&some bord] 7or half-bord] 
r71 ) a zany 9 ! corn]1 us$ frequ5tly 9 
,j4 ,za9]'s books by ! by1 9 ,grits*'s  
,quadragesimale1 #adge1 ?is zany is     
*ang$ into an ord9>y citiz5 by means (  
an +5i\s piec+ ( ! block1 e4g41 9 !     
#adgc & #adgd editions ( ! ,rationale ( 
,dur&us1 &1 associat$ ) an int]e/+      
hi/oriat$ initial ,o1 9 ,alv>us1 ,de    
planctu ,ecclesi1 #adgd4 ,!re are two or
 ?ree o!r f9e bord]s1 su* z ^? 9        
,/e9h[el's ,b*le9 d] ,ordnung1 &        
,petr>*'s ,griseldis 7"h %[n71 bo? (    
#adgc1 & 9 ,alb]tus ,magnus1 ,summa de  
eu*>i/i ,sacram5to1 #adgd4 ,a curi\s    

alphabet ( initials made up ( leafage1  
good1 b n v %[y1 is us$ 9 ! ,de ,cl>is  
,muli]ibus & o!r books4 ,an alphabet (  
l>ge initials1 ! mo/ complete example ( 
:i* is to be f\nd 9 ,leon>d ,hol's      
,ptolemy1 is (t5 us$ & is cle>ly f\nd$  
on ! p5-lett]s1 drawn mo/ly 9 r$ & blue1
 9 :i* ! ,dut* 'rubri%]s' excell$4      
,ano!r set ( initials f\nd$ on twelf?   
c5tury "w occurs 9 ,john ,za9]'s folio  
books1 & has "s lik5ess to ^? us$ by    
,hoh5wang ( ,augsburg 9 ! ,gold5 ,bibel 
& else:]e1 & p]haps 0 sugge/$ by ^!1 z  
!y are n v e>ly 7c4 #adge71 b !y diff] f
 ,hoh5wang's 9 be+ g5]ally m or less    
%ad$1 & also 9 n be+ enclos$ 9 a squ>e4 
,?is big alphabet is v beautiful & seems
 to h be5 a good deal copi$ by o!r      
,g]man pr9t]s1 z x well des]v$ to be4 ,!
 initials ( ,knoblotz] ( ,/rassburg &   
,b]n>d ,ri*el ( ,basel may be m5tion$4  
,john ,reg]'s ,ca\rs9 has f9e h&some    
'bloom+-lett]s1' some:at t5d+ t[>d !    
,fr5* /yle4  ,9 ,augsburg ,gun!r ,za9]  
has "s initial ,i's ( /rap-"w )\t       

foliation3 !y are f9ely design$1 b ga9  
consid]ably :51 z sometimes happ5s1 !   
spaces betwe5 ! /raps are fill$ 9 ) f9e 
p5-trac]y & 9 yell[i% br[n2 !y 7 cut    
e>ly 9 ,gun!r's c>e]1 z "o occurs 9 !   
,speculum ,human ,salvationis1 c4 #adga1
 & ano!r 9 ! ,cal5d>1 pr9t$ #adga4 ,^!1 
z !y always occur 9 ! m>g9 & are long1  
may be call$ bord]-pieces4 ,a bord]     
occurr+ 9 ,eyb1 ob e9em manne tzu nem5  
e9 weib is drawn v gracefully 9 outl9e1 
& is atta*$1 deftly en\gh1 to a v good  
,s ( ! p5-lett] type1 ?\gh on a sep>ate 
block2 x has ?ree %ields ( arms 9 x1 "o 
( :i* is ! be>+ ( ,augsburg4 ,?is piece 
is decid$ly illum9ators' "w z to design4
  ,gun!r's ,m>g>ita ,davidica has a     
bord] 7atta*$ to a v l>ge ,p7 :i* is mu*
 l ! ,ulm bord]s 9 "*4 ,a g5ealogical   
tree ( ! ,h\se ( ,hapsburg prefac+ !    
,spiegel des ,m5s*li*5 leb5s1 & occupy+ 
a :ole page1 is comp>able = beauty &    
elaboration to ! ,s ( ,john ,za9] above 
m5tion$2 on ! :ole1 = beauty & ri*ness (
 inv5tion & = neatness ( execution1 ,i  

am incl9$ to give x ! fir/ place among/ 
all ! decorative pieces ( ! ,g]man      
pr9t]s4  ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,g]man ,bible ( 
c4 #adgd has a full set ( pictur$       
lett]s1 "o to e book1 ( v rem>kable     
m]it3 ! foliat$ =ms :i* make ! lett]s & 
enclose ! figures be+ bold1 inv5tive1 & 
v well drawn4 ,i note t ^! excell5t     
designs h receiv$ mu* less att5tion ?an 
!y des]ve4  ,9 almo/ all b ! e>lie/ (   
,gun!r's books a h&some set ( initials  
are us$1 a good deal l ! above m5tion$  
,ulm initials1 b ) ! foliations blunt]1 
& bl5d$ ) less ( geometrical =ms3 ! p5  
orig9 ( ^! is also v m>k$4  ,ludwig     
,hoh5wang1 :o pr9t$ at ,augsburg 9 !    
sev5ties1 uses a notewor?y set (        
initials1 allud$ to above1 t w\ld seem  
to h be5 drawn by ! design] ) a twelf?  
c5tury ,,ms4 be=e him1 ?\gh1 z a matt] (
 c\rse1 ! fifte5? c5tury betrays itself 
9 c]ta9 details1 *iefly 9 ! %>p         
foliations at ! ends ( ! scrolls1 etc4  
,!re is a great deal ( beautiful design 
9 ^! lett]s2 b ! squ>e bord] r\nd !m1   

:ile reveal+ _! orig9 f illum9ators' "w1
 leaves ov]-l>ge :ites 9 ! backgr\nds1  
:i* call out = ! completion t !         
illum9ator's col\r w\ld h giv5 !m4 ,bml]
 & ! lat] pr9t] ,sorg d n use s mu*     
ornam5t z ,gun!r ,za9]2 _! initials are 
less ri* bo? 9 l9e & design ?an         
,gun!r's1 & ,sorg's especially h a look 
( hav+ run d[n f ! e>li] ones3 9 8      
,seusse1 h[ev]1 !re are "s beautiful    
figur$ initials design$ on some:at !    
same plan z ^? ( ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,bible4 
,n[ x may surprise "s ( our read]s1 ?\gh
 ,i %\ld hope n ! greate/ "p ( !m1 to   
he> t ,i claim ! title ( works ( art1   
bo? = ^! picture-ornam5t$ books z books1
 & also = ! pictures !mselves4 ,_! two  
ma9 m]its are fir/ _! decorative & next 
_! /ory-tell+ quality2 & x seems to me t
 ^! two qualities include :at is        
necess>y & ess5tial 9 book-pictures4 ,to
 be sure ! pr9cipal aim ( ^! unkn[n     
,g]man arti/s 0 to give ! ess5ce ( !    
/ory at any co/1 & x may be ?\ght t !   
decorative qualities ( _! designs 7     

accid5tal1 or done unconsci\sly at any  
rate4 ,i d n altoge!r dispute t view2 b 
!n ! accid5t is t ( ! skilful workman ^:
 skill is l>gely ! result ( tradition2 x
 has !reby become a habit ( ! h& to him 
to "w 9 a decorative mann]4  ,to turn   
back to ! books numb]$ above z ! mo/    
important ( ! s*ool1 ,i %\ld call ,john 
,za9]'s ,de ,cl>is ,muli]ibus1 & ! sop1 
& ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,spiegel des ,m5s*li*5 
leb5s ! mo/ *>act]i/ic4 ,( ^! my own    
*oice w\ld be ! ,de ,cl>is ,muli]ibus1  
p>tly p]haps because x is a v old fri5d 
( m9e1 & p]haps ! fir/ book t gave me a 
cle> insight into ! ess5tial qualities (
 ! m$ival design ( t p]iod4 ,!          
subject-matt] ( ! book also makes x "o (
 ! mo/ int]e/+1 giv+ x opportunity =    
sett+ =? ! m$ival rev]5ce = ! classical 
p]iod1 )\t any ( ! loss ( romance on !  
"o h&1 & epical s9c]ity & directness on 
! o!r1 :i* ! flood-tide ( r5aissance    
rhetoric pres5tly inflict$ on ! _w4 ,no 
/ory-tell+ c\ld be simpl] & m           
/raight=w>d1 & less dep5d5t on second>y 

help1 ?an t ( ^! curi\s1 &1 z p phrase  
x1 rude cuts4 ,& 9 spite 7if y please x7
 ( _! rud5ess1 !y are by no means lack+ 
9 def9ite beauty3 ! composition is good 
ev]y:]e1 ! drap]y well design$1 ! l9es  
ri*1 :i* %[s ( c\rse t ! cutt+ is good4 
,?\gh !re is no ornam5t save ! beautiful
 initial ,s & ! curi\s foliat$ initials 
above m5tion$1 ! page is beautifully    
proportion$ & /ately1 :51 z 9 ! copy    
be=e me1 x has escap$ ! fury ( !        
bookb9d]4  ,! great initial ',s' ,i     
claim to be "o ( ! v be/ pr9t]s'        
ornam5ts ev] made1 "o :i* w\ld n        
disgrace a ?irte5? c5tury ,,ms4 ,adam & 
,eve are /&+ on a f9ely-design$ spray ( 
poppy-l leafage1 & beh9d !m rise up !   
b\ghs ( ! tree4 ,eve rea*es d[n an apple
 to ,adam ) h] "r h&1 & ) h] uplift$    
left takes ano!r f ! m\? ( ! cr[n$      
woman's head ( ! s]p5t1 ^: coils1 aft]  
!y h p]=m$ ! duty ( mak+ ! ,s1 end 9 a  
foliage scroll1 ^: bran*es enclose      
little m$allions ( ! sev5 deadly s9s4   
,all ?is is done ) admirable inv5tion & 

romantic mean+1 & ) v great beauty (    
design & a full s5se ( decorative       
necessities4  ,z to faults 9 ?is        
delightful book1 x mu/ be said t x is   
some:at m>r$ by ! press-"w n be+ s good 
z x %\ld h be5 ev5 :5 pr9t$ by ! weak   
presses ( ! fifte5? c5tury2 b ?is1 ?\gh 
a defect1 is n1 ,i submit1 an ess5tial  
"o4  ,9 ! sop ! draw+ ( ! designs is 9 a
 way sup]ior to t ( ! la/ book3 ! l9e   
leaves no?+ to be desir$2 x is ?or\ghly 
decorative1 r heavy1 b s firm & /rong1 &
 s obvi\sly 9 submission to !           
draughtman's h&1 t x is capable ( ev5   
great delicacy z well z ri*ness4 ,!     
figures bo? ( man & bea/ are full (     
expression2 ! heads clean drawn &       
expressive also1 & 9 _m cases ref9$ &   
delicate4 ,! cuts1 ) few exceptions1 are
 n b\nd$ by a bord]1 b amid/ ! great    
ri*ness ( l9e no lack ( "o is felt1 & ! 
designs fully su/a9 _! decorative       
position z a "p ( ! noble type ( ! ,ulm 
& ,augsburg pr9t]s2 ?is sop is1 to my   
m9d1 incomp>ably ! be/ & mo/ expressive 

( ! _m illu/rat$ editions ( ! ,fables   
pr9t$ 9 ! fifte5? c5tury4 ,! designs ( !
 o!r ,g]man & ,flemi% ones 7 all copi$ f
 x4  ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,spiegel des        
,m5s*li*5 leb5s is aga9 "o ( ! mo/ amus+
 ( woodcut books4 ,"o may say t ! book  
itself1 "o ( ! mo/ popul> ( ! ,middle   
,ages1 runs ?r\gh all ! conditions &    
occupations ( m5 z !n exi/+1 f ! ,pope &
 ,kais] d[n to ! field lab\r]1 &1 ) full
 indulg5ce 9 ! m$ival love ( =mal       
anti!sis1 contra/s ! good & ! evil side 
( !m4 ,! pr(use illu/rations to all ?is 
ab\nd 9 excell5t pieces ( nave          
*>act]isation2 ! designs are v well put 
toge!r1 &1 = ! mo/ "p1 ! figures well   
drawn1 & drap]ies good & crisp1 & !     
g5]al effect v satisfactory z           
decoration4 ,! design] 9 ?is book1      
h[ev]1 has n be5 always s lucky 9 8     
cutt] z ^? ( ! la/ two1 & "s ( !        
pictures h be5 consid]ably injur$ 9 !   
cutt+4 ,on ! o!r h& ! lovely g5ealogical
 tree above m5tion$ cr[ns ?is book )    
abundant hon\r1 & ! be/ ( ! cuts are s  

good t x is h>dly possible to rank x    
aft] ! fir/ two4 ,gun!r ,za9]'s         
,speculum ,human ,salvationis & 8 ,gold5
 ,leg5d h cuts decid$ly rud] ?an ^! ?ree
 books2 !y are simpl] also1 & less      
decorative z ornam5ts to ! page1        
nev]!less !y h abundant int]e/1 & mo/   
(t5 _! ess5tial qualities ( design %9e  
?r\gh ! rud5ess1 :i* by no means        
excludes ev5 grace ( silh\ette3 "o & all
 !y are ?or\ghly expressive ( ! /ory !y 
tell4 ,! designs 9 ^! two books by ! by 
d n seem to h be5 done by ! same h&2 b  
,i %\ld ?9k t ! design] ( ^? 9 ! ,gold5 
,leg5d drew ! subjects t 'inhabit' ! f9e
 lett]s ( ,gun!r's ,g]man ,bible4 ,bo?  
seem to me to h a k9d ( illum9ator's "* 
9 !m4 ,! cuts to ! /ory ( ,simon br+ u  
back to ^? ( ,spiegel des ,m5s*li*5     
leb5s2 !y are delicate & pretty1 & tell 
! /ory1 half s repulsive1 half s t\*+1 (
 'little ,sir ,hugh1' v well4 ,i mu/ n  
pass by )\t a fur!r ^w on ,sigismund &  
,guisc>d4 ,i _c help ?9k+ t ! cuts !re9 
are by ! same h& t drew "s ( ^? 9 ! sop2

 at any rate !y h ! same qualities (    
design1 & are to my m9d s+ul>ly         
beautiful & int]e/+4  ,( ! o!r          
contempor>y1 or ne>ly contempor>y1      
pr9t]s ,bml] comes fir/ 9 int]e/4 ,8    
book von d5 #g ,todsnd51 etc41 has cuts 
( mu* int]e/ & inv5tion1 n unlike 9 "*  
to ^? ( ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,gold5 ,leg5d4 ,8
 ,bu* d] ,natur has full-page cuts (    
animals1 h]bs1 & human figures exce$+ly 
qua9t1 b v well design$ = ! mo/ "p4 ,a  
half-figure ( a bi%op '9 pontificalibus'
 is p>ticul>ly bold & happy4 ,rup]tus a 
sancto ,remigio's ,hi/ory ( ! crusade & 
! ,croni* von all5 ,konig5 und ,kais]n  
are f9ely illu/rat$4 ,8 ,ros5cranz      
,brud]s*aft above m5tion$ has b two     
cuts1 b !y are bo? ( !m1 ! "o z a f9e   
decorative "w1 ! o!r z a deeply felt    
illu/ration ( devotional s5tim5t1 ( !   
highe/ m]it4  ,! two really notewor?y   
works ( ,sorg 7:o1 z a=esaid1 0 some:at 
a plagi>i/ic publi%]7 are1 fir/1 !      
,seusse1 :i* is illu/rat$ ) bold &      
highly decorative cuts full ( mean+ &   

dignity1 & next1 ! ,c\ncil ( ,con/ance1 
:i* is ! fir/ h]aldic woodcut "w 7x has 
besides ! coats-(-arms1 sev]al f9e      
full-page cuts1 ( :i* ! burn+ ( ,huss is
 "o74 ,^! armorial cuts1 :i* are full ( 
int]e/ z giv+ a va/ numb] ( curi\s &    
/range be>+s1 are no less s z %[+ :at   
admirable decoration c be got out (     
h]aldry :5 x is simply & well drawn4    
,to ,conrad ,d9ckmut ( ,ulm1 belong+ to 
a some:at lat] p]iod ?an ^! la/-nam$    
pr9t]s1 belongs ! glory ( oppos+ by 8   
f9e works ! com+ degradation (          
book-ornam5t 9 ,g]many4 ,!              
,seel5-wurzg>t51 ornam5t$ ) sev5te5     
full-page cuts1 is injur$ by ! too free 
repetition ( !m2 !y are1 h[ev]1 v good2 
! be/ p]haps be+ ! ,nativity1 :i*1 =    
simplicity & beauty1 is wor?y ( ! e>li] 
p]iod ( ! ,middle ,ages4 ,! ,swabian    
,*ronicle has cuts ( v>i\s degrees (    
m]it1 b all int]e/+ & full ( life & _s3 
a fight 9 ! li/s ) axes be+ "o ( ! mo/  
rem>kable4 ,das bu* d] ,wei%eit         
7,bidpay's ,fables7 has l>g] cuts :i*   

c]ta9ly %[ no lack ( c\rage2 !y are     
p]haps sc>cely s decorative z ! av]age (
 ! cuts ( ! s*ool1 & are some:at co>sely
 cut2 b _! frank epical "* makes !m     
wor?y ( all att5tion4 ,b p]haps 8 mo/   
rem>kable "w is 8 ,t]5ce's ,eunu*us 79  
,g]man71 ornam5t$ ) tw5ty-eight cuts    
illu/rat+ ! sc5es4 ,^! all h backgr\nds 
%[+ 7mo/ly7 ! /reets ( a m$ival t[n1 :i*
 cle>ly imply !atrical sc5]y2 ! figures 
( ! actors are delicately drawn1 & ! "* 
( ! p]sons & _! action is well giv5 &   
c>efully su/a9$ ?r\gh\t4 ,! text ( ?is  
book is pr9t$ 9 a l>ge h&some           
black-lett]1 import$1 z my fri5d ,mr4   
,proctor in=ms me1 f ,italy4 ,! book is 
altoge!r ( s+ul> beauty & "*4  ,!       
,ca\rs9 7#adif71 ! la/ book ( any acc\nt
 pr9t$ at ,ulm1 has good & spirit$ cuts 
( ! ev5ts describ$1 ! be/ ( !m be+ !    
flight ( ,turks 9 ! m\nta9s4 ,"o is     
almo/ tempt$ to ?9k t ^! cuts are       
design$ by ! au?or ( ^? ( ! ,ma9z       
,breid5ba* ( #adhf1 ?\gh ! cutt+ is mu* 
inf]ior4  ,all ^! books1 x mu/ be       

rememb]$1 ?\gh !y necess>ily 7be+ pr9t$ 
books7 belong to ! lat] ,middle ,ages1 &
 ?\gh "s ( !m are r decid$ly late 9 t   
epo*1 are ?or\ghly ',go?ic' z to _!     
ornam5t2 !re is no ta9t ( ! ,r5aissance 
9 !m4 ,9 ?is respect ! art (            
book-ornam5t 0 lucky4 ,! neo-classical  
rhetoric :i* invad$ lit]ature be=e ! end
 ( ! f\rte5? c5tury 7= ev5 ,*auc] did n 
q escape x7 0 h>mless aga9/ ?is bran* ( 
art at lea/ = m ?an ano!r hundr$ ye>s2 s
 t ev5 ,italian book-pictures are ,go?ic
 9 _s1 = ! mo/ "p1 "r up to ! beg9n+ ( !
 sixte5? c5tury1 long aft] ! ,new ,bir? 
_h de/roy$ ! build+ arts = ,italy3 :ile 
,g]many1 ^: ,go?ic ar*itecture 0        
necess>ily firm] root$ 9 ! soil1 did n s
 mu* z feel ! fir/ %iv] ( ! com+ flood  
till sudd5ly1 & )\t w>n+1 x 0 ^u h]1 & !
 art ( ! ,middle ,ages fell dead 9 a    
space ( ab\t five ye>s1 & 0 succe$$ by a
 s+ul>ly /upid & brutal phase ( t       
rhetorical & academical art1 :i*1 9 all 
matt]s ( ornam5t1 has held ,europe      
captive ev] s9ce4  ,illu/ration3 ,f     

,john ,za9]'s ,griseldis1 ,ulm1 #adgc   
,illu/ration3 ,f ,gun!r ,za9]'s         
,speculum ,human ,salvationis1          
,augsburg1 ,c4 #adga  ,illu/ration3 ,f  
,gun!r ,za9]'s ,+old1 ,das ,gold5       
,spiel1 ,augsburg1 #adgb  ,illu/ration3 
,f ,john ,za9]'s ,boccaccio de ,cl>is   
,muli]ibus1 ,ulm1 #adgc  ,illu/ration3  
,f ,gun!r ,za9]'s ,epi/les & ,gospels1  
,augsburg1 ,c4 #adgd  ,illu/ration3 ,f  
,gun!r ,za9]'s ,spiegel ,d4 ,m5s*l4     
,leb5s1 ,augsburg1 ,c4 #adge            
,illu/ration3 ,f ,gun!r ,za9]'s         
,tub]9us1 ,ges*i*t von ,dem ,heilig5    
,k9d ,symon1 ,augsburg1 ,c4 #adge       
,illu/ration3 ,f ! sop     ,,!          
,,woodcuts ,,( ,,go?ic ,,books          
,notes on ,woodcut ,books   ,i %all     
pres5tly h ! pleasure ( %[+ y 9 "s k9d (
 sequ5ce a numb] ( illu/rations tak5 f  
books ( ! #ae?1 & fir/ ye>s ( ! #af?    
c5turies4 ,b be=e ,i d s ,i wi% to read 
to y a few rem>ks on ! g5esis & !       
quality ( ! k9d ( art repres5t$ by ^!   
examples1 & ! lessons :i* !y tea* u4    

,s9ce ! e>lie/ ( ^? ,i h to %[ is       
probably n e>li] 9 date ?an ab\t #adbj1 
& almo/ all are m ?an fifty ye>s lat]   
?an t1 x is cle> t !y belong to ! late/ 
p]iod ( ,m$ival art1 & "o or two mu/    
=mally be ref]r$ to ! e>lie/ days ( !   
,r5aissance1 ?\gh 9 _s !y are /ill      
,go?ic4 ,9 fact1 x is curi\s to note !  
sudd5ness ( ! supplant+ ( ! ,go?ic by ! 
neo-classical /yle 9 "s in/ances1       
especially 9 ,g]many3 e4g41 ! lat] books
 publi%$ by ! great ,nuremb]g pr9t]1    
,koburg]1 9 ! f\rte5-n9eties1 books l ! 
,nuremb]g ,*ronicle1 & ! ,s*atzbehalt]1 
%[ no sign ( ! com+ *ange1 b t5 ye>s    
worn1 & hey1 pre/o1 n a p>ticle ( ,go?ic
 ornam5t c be f\nd 9 any ,g]man pr9t$   
book1 ?\gh1 z ,i ?9k1 ! figure-works (  
"o great man1 ,alb]t ,dr]1 7 ,go?ic 9   
ess5ce4  ,! mo/ "p ( ^! books1 9 fact   
all ( !m 9 ! e>li] days 7! exceptions   
be+ ma9ly c]ta9 spl5didly ornam5t$ ,fr5*
 books1 includ+ ! sumptu\s books (      
,h\rs71 7 meant = popul> books3 ! great 
!ological folios1 ! law books1 !        

decretals1 & su* l ( ! e>li] ,g]man     
pr9t]s1 ?\gh miracles ( typographical   
beauty1 if ornam5t$ at all1 7 ornam5t$  
by ! illum9ator1 ) ! s+le exception (   
,gut5b]g's spl5did ,psalt]1 :i* gives u 
at once ! fir/ & be/ piece ( ornam5tal  
col\r-pr9t+ yet a*iev$4 ,aga91 ! da9ty &
 p]fect volumes ( ! classics produc$ by 
! e>li] ,roman & ,v5etian pr9t]s disda9$
 ! help ( wood blocks1 ?\gh !y 7 (t5    
beautifully illum9at$1 & x 0 n till aft]
 ! days ( ,j5son1 ! ,fr5*man :o br\ght !
 ,roman lett] to p]fection1 x 0 n till  
,italian typography began to decl9e1 t  
illu/ration by reproducible me?ods      
became usual2 & we "k t ^! illu/rat$    
books 7 look$ ^u z inf]ior w>es1 & 7    
sold f> *eap] ?an ! unadorn$ pages ( !  
great pr9t]s4 ,x mu/ be not$ 9          
confirmation ( ! view t ! woodcut books 
7 *eap books1 t 9 mo/ cases !y 7        
v]nacul> editions ( books already pr9t$ 
9 ,lat94  ,! "w1 !n1 :i* ,i am ab\t to  
%[ y has fir/ ! disadvantage ( ! rud5ess
 likely to disfigure *eap =ms ( art 9 a 

"t t lack$ ! res\rce ( slipp]y          
plausibility :i* helps out *eap art at !
 pres5t day4 ,& secondly1 ! disadvantage
 ( belong+ to ! old age r ?an ! y\? or  
vigor\s manhood ( ! ,middle ,ages4 ,on !
 o!r h&1 x is art1 & n a m]e trade      
article2 & ?\gh x 0 produc$ by ! dy+    
,middle ,ages1 !y 7 n yet dead :5 x 0   
curr5t1 s t x yet reta9s mu* ( !        
qualities ( ! m hopeful p]iod2 & 9      
addition1 ! necessity ( adapt+ ! curr5t 
design to a new mat]ial & me?od gave x a
 special life1 :i* is full ( int]e/ &   
in/ruction = arti/s ( all times :o are  
able to keep _! eyes op54  ,all organic 
art1 all art t is g5u9ely gr[+1 oppos$  
to rhetorical1 retrospective1 or        
academical art1 art :i* has no real gr[?
 9 x1 has two qualities 9 common3 !     
epical & ! ornam5tal2 its two functions 
are ! tell+ ( a /ory & ! adornm5t ( a   
space or tangible object4 ,! lab\r &    
+5uity necess>y = ! production ( any?+ t
 claims our att5tion z a "w ( art are   
wa/$1 if !y are employ$ on any?+ else   

?an ^! two aims4 ,m$ival art1 ! result (
 a long unbrok5 s]ies ( tradition1 is   
prem95t = its grasp ( ^! two functions1 
:i*1 inde$1 int]p5etrate !n m ?an 9 any 
o!r p]iod4 ,n only is all its special   
art obvi\sly & simply beautiful z       
ornam5t1 b its ornam5t also is vivifi$ )
 =cible mean+1 s t nei!r 9 "o or ! o!r  
does ! life ev] flag1 or ! s5su\s       
pleasure ( ! eye ev] lack4 ,y h n got to
 say1 ,n[ y h y\r /ory1 h[ are y go+ to 
embelli% x8 ,nor1 ,n[ y h made y\r      
beauty1 :at are y go+ to d ) x8 ,= "h   
are ! two toge!r1 insep>ably a "p ( ea* 
o!r4 ,no d\bt ! =ce ( tradition1 :i*    
culm9at$ 9 ! ,middle ,ages1 _h mu* to d 
) ?is unity ( epical design & ornam5t4  
,x suppli$ defici5cies ( individual by  
collective imag9ation 7comp>e !         
con/antly recurr+ phases & l9es 9 g5u9e 
epical or ballad poetry72 x ensur$ !    
inh]itance ( deft craftsman%ip & in/9ct 
= beauty 9 ! succession ( ! g5]ations ( 
workm52 & x cultivat$ ! appreciation (  
good "w by ! g5]al public4 ,n[-a-days   

arti/s "w ess5tially = arti/s1 & look on
 ! ignorant layman ) contempt1 :i* ev5 !
 necessity ( e>n+ a livelihood _c =ce !m
 :olly to disguise4 ,9 ! times ( art1 !y
 _h no "o b arti/s to "w =1 s9ce e "o 0 
a pot5tial arti/4  ,n[1 9 su* a p]iod1  
:5 writt5 lit]ature 0 /ill div9e1 &     
almo/ miracul\s to m51 x 0 impossible t 
books %\ld fail to h a due %>e 9 !      
epical-ornam5tal art ( ! "t4 ,accord+ly1
 ! opportunities (f]$ by ! pages :i*    
conta9$ ! wisdom & k ( pa/ & pres5t     
times 7 cultivat$ to ! utmo/4 ,! e>ly   
,middle ,ages1 beg9n+ ) ! wond]ful      
calligraphy ( ! ,iri% ,,mss41 71 above  
all times1 ! epo* ( writ+4 ,! pages (   
almo/ all books1 f ! #h? to ! #ae?      
c5tury1 are beautiful1 ev5 )\t !        
addition ( ornam5t4 ,9 ^? t are ornam5t$
 )\t pictures illu/rative ( ! text1 !   
eye is s pleasur$1 & ! fancy s tickl$ by
 ! beauty & exhau/less *e]ful inv5tion (
 ! illum9ator1 t "o sc>cely v5tures to  
ask t ! tale embodi$ 9 ! writt5 *>act]s 
%\ld be fur!r illu/rat$4 ,b :5 ?is is   

done1 & ! book is full ( pictures1 :i*  
tell ! writt5 tale aga9 ) ! mo/         
consci5ti\s directness ( design1 & z to 
execution ) great purity ( outl9e &     
extreme delicacy ( col\r1 we c say      
little m ?an t ! only "w ( art :i*      
surpasses a complete ,m$ival book is a  
complete ,m$ival build+4 ,?is mu/ be    
said1 ) ! lea/ qualification1 ( ! books 
( f ab\t #aafj to #acjj4 ,aft] ?is date1
 ! "w loses1 9 purity & simplicity1 m   
?an x ga9s 9 pictorial qualities1 &1 at 
la/1 aft] ! middle ( ! #ae? c5tury1     
illum9at$ books lose mu* ( _!           
individuality on ! ornam5tal side2 &1   
?\gh !y are /ill beautiful1 are mo/ly   
only r$eem$ f commonplace :5 ! m9iatures
 9 !m are excell5t4 ,b "h comes 9 ! new 
elem5t1 giv5 by ! inv5tion ( pr9t+1 & ! 
gradual %ov+ out ( ! scribe by !        
pun*-cutt]1 ! typef\nd]1 & ! pr9t]4 ,!  
fir/ pr9t$ *>act]s 7 z exact            
reproductions ( ! writt5 ones z ! new   
craftsm5 c\ld compass1 ev5 to ! ext5t ( 
! copy+ ( ! inf]nal abbreviations :i* _h

 gradually crept into manuscript2 b1 z  
,i h already m5tion$1 ! produc]s ( s]i\s
 books did n at fir/ supply ! "w ( !    
illum9ator by t ( ! woodcutt]1 ei!r 9   
picture "w or ornam5t4 ,9 fact1 ! art ( 
pr9t+ pictures f wood blocks is e>li]   
?an t ( pr9t+ books1 & is und\bt$ly !   
p>5t ( book illu/ration4 ,! fir/        
woodcuts 7 sep>ate pictures ( religi\s  
subjects1 circulat$ = ! edification ( ! 
fai?ful1 9 exi/+ examples g5]ally col\r$
 by h&1 & c]ta9ly always int5d$ to be   
col\r$4 ,! e>lie/ ( ^! may be z old z   
#achj1 & !re are _m :i* h be5 dat$ 9 !  
fir/ half ( ! #ae? c5tury2 ?\gh ! dates 
are mo/ly r a matt] ( speculation4 ,b ! 
developm5t ( book illu/ration prop] by  
no means puts an end to _! production4  
,_m 7 done betwe5 #adej & #adij1 & "s 9 
! fir/ ye>s ( ! #af? c5tury2 b ! e>li]  
ones only h any special "* 9 !m4 ,( ^!1 
"s are cut rudely & "s timidly also1 b  
"s are fairly well cut1 & few s ill t ! 
expression ( ! design is n reta9$4 ,!   
design ( mo/ ( ^! e>ly works is mo/ly   

admirable1 & z f> remov$ f ! commonplace
 z possible2 _m1 nay mo/ ( ^! cuts1 are 
f9e expressions ( t pietism ( ! ,middle 
,ages :i* has be5 some:at veil$ f u by !
 /rang5ess1 & ev5 grotesqu5ess :i* has  
m+l$ ) x1 b ! reality ( :i* is n d\btful
 to ^? :o h /udi$ ! p]iod )\t prejudice4
 ,among/ ^! may be cit$ a design ( ,*ri/
 be+ press$ 9 ! w9e press1 probably z   
e>ly z ! end ( ! #ad? c5tury1 :i* may /&
 )\t disadvantage beside a f9e "w ( !   
#ac? c5tury4  ,! next /ep t[>ds book    
illu/ration br+s u to ! block-books1 9  
:i* ! picture-cuts are accompani$ by a  
text1 also cut on wood2 ! folios be+    
pr9t$ by rubb+ (f on "o side only4 ,!   
subject ( ! orig9 ( ! mo/ notewor?y ( ^!
 books1 ! ,ars ,mori5di1 ! ,"l's ,pray]1
 ! ,song ( ,solomon1 ! ,biblia ,paup]um1
 ! ,apocalypse1 & ! ,speculum ,human    
,salvationis1 has be5 debat$1 along ) ! 
"q ( ! fir/ pr9t] by means ( movable    
types1 ) m acrimony ?an x w\ld seem to  
ne$4 ,i1 n be+ a le>n$ p]son1 w n add "o
 ^w to ! controv]sy2 x is en\gh to say t

 ^! works 7 done some:]e betwe5 ! ye>s  
#adcj & #adfj1 & t _! /yle 0 almo/      
entirely dom9ant ?r\gh\t ! ,go?ic p]iod 
9 ,fl&]s & ,holl&1 :ile x _h little     
influ5ce on ! ,g]man wood-cutt]s4 ,= !  
re/1 all ^! books h great m]it z works (
 art2 x w\ld be difficult to f9d m      
direct or m poetical r5d]+ ( ! ev5ts    
giv5 ?an ^? ( ! ,speculum ,human        
,salvationis2 or m elegant & t\*+       
designs ?an ^? 9 ! ,song ( ,solomon4 ,! 
cuts ( ! ,biblia ,paup]um are r\gh]1 b  
full ( vig\r & p[] ( expression4 ,! ,ars
 ,mori5di is v well drawn & execut$1 b !
 subject is n s int]e/+4 ,! ,apocalypse 
& ,! ,"l's ,pray] are bo? ( !m excell5t1
 ! =m] be+ sc>cely inf]ior 9 design to !
 be/ ( ! ,apocalypse picture ,,mss4 ( ! 
end ( ! ?irte5? c5tury4  ,we h n[ come  
to ! wood-cuts :i* ornam5t ! regul>     
books ( ! ,go?ic p]iod1 :i* began       
some:at timidly4 ,! two examples 9      
,g]many & ,italy1 n f> remov$ f ea* o!r 
9 date1 be+ ! ,hi/orie von ,joseph1     
,daniel1 ,judi?1 & ,e/h]1 pr9t$ by      

,albre*t ,pfi/]1 at ,bamb]g1 9 #adfb2 & 
! ,m$itations ( ,turrecremata 7or       
,torquemada71 pr9t$ at ,rome by ,ulric  
,hahn1 9 ! ye> #adfg1 :i* latt]1 ?\gh   
tak5 by ! comm& ( ! ,pope f ! frescoes (
 a ,roman ,*ur* 7,/a4 ,m>ia ,sopra      
,m9]va7 are z ,g]man z ne$ be1 & v rude 
9 draw+ & execution1 ?\gh n )\t _s4 ,b1 
aft] ?is date1 ! s*ool ( wood-c>v+      
develop$ rapidly2 &1 on ! :ole1 ,g]many1
 :i* _h be5 v backw>d 9 ! art (         
illum9ation1 n[ l$ ! new art4 ,! ma9    
s*ools 7 ^? ( ,ulm & ,augsburg1 (       
,ma9tz1 ( ,/rasburg1 ( ,basel1 & (      
,nuremb]g1 ! latt] be+ ! lat]4 ,!       
examples :i* ,i %all pres5tly h !       
pleasure ( %[+ y are :olly ( ! fir/ & ! 
la/1 z be+ ! mo/ repres5tative1 ,ulm &  
,augsburg ( ! e>li] /yle1 ,nuremb]g ( ! 
lat]4 ,b ,i might m5tion1 9 pass+1 t "s 
( ! e>li] ,basel books1 notably ,b]n>d  
,ri*el's ,speculum ,human ,salvationis1 
are v notewor?y2 & t1 9 f\rte5-eighties1
 !re 0 a s*ool at ,ma9tz t produc$1     
among/ o!r books1 a v beautiful ,h]bal1 

& ,breyd5ba*'s ,p]egr9atio1 :i*1 among/ 
o!r m]its1 su* z actual repres5tations (
 ! cities on ! road to ! ,holy ,l&1 mu/ 
be said to conta9 ! be/ execut$ woodcuts
 ( ! ,middle ,ages4 ,( c\rse1 !re 7 _m  
o!r t[ns 9 ,g]many :i* produc$ illu/rat$
 books1 b !y may be ref]r$ 9 "* to "o or
 o!r ( ^! s*ools4 ,9 ,holl& & ,fl&]s !re
 0 a noble s*ool ( woodcutt+1 delicately
 decorative 9 "*1 & v direct &          
expressive1 be+1 z ,i said1 ! direct    
desc5dant ( ! block-books4 ,! "n ( !    
pr9t] :o produc$ mo/ books ( ?is s*ool 0
 ,g]>d ,leeuw 7or ,lion71 :o pr9t$ fir/ 
at ,g\da1 & aft]w>ds at ,antw]p4 ,b     
,col>d ,mansion1 ( ,bruges1 :o pr9t$ few
 books1 & 0 ! ma/] ( ,caxton 9 ! art (  
pr9t+1 turn$ out a few v f9e specim5s ( 
illu/rat$ books4 ,"o ( ! mo/ rem>kable  
illu/rat$ works publi%$ 9 ! ,l[         
,c\ntries--:i* ,i m5tion = its          
peculi>ity--is ! ,*evali] ,delib] 7an   
allegorical poem on ! dea? ( ,*>les !   
,ra%71 & ,i regret n be+ able to %[ y a 
slide ( x1 z x c\ld n be done           

satisfactorily4 ,?is book1 publi%$ at   
,s*i$am 9 #aejj1 decid$ly leans t[>ds ! 
,fr5* 9 /yle1 r ?an ! native mann] d$uc$
 f ! e>li] block-books4  ,france began  
bo? pr9t+ & book illu/ration some:at    
late1 mo/ ( its important illu/rat$     
works belong+ to a p]iod betwe5 ! ye>s  
#adhe & #aebj2 b %e grasp$ ! art ( book 
decoration ) a firmness & complet5ess v 
*>act]i/ic ( ,fr5* g5ius2 & also1 %e    
c>ri$ on ! ,go?ic mann] lat] ?an any o!r
 nation4 ,= decorative qualities1 no?+ c
 excel ! ,fr5* books1 & _m ( !          
picture-cuts1 besides _! decorative     
m]its1 h an additional int]e/ 9 !       
romantic quality :i* !y introduce3 !y   
all look z if !y might be illu/rations  
to ! ,morte ,d',ar?ur or ,tri/ram4  ,9  
,italy1 f ab\t #adhj onw>d1 book        
illu/rations became common1 go+ h&-9-h& 
) ! degradation ( pr9t+1 z ,i said be=e4
 ,! two great s*ools 9 ,italy are ^? (  
,flor5ce & ,v5ice4 ,i ?9k x mu/ be said 
t1 on ! :ole1 ! =m] city bore away !    
bell f ,v5ice1 9 spite ( ! fam\s ,ald9e 

,polyphilus1 ! cuts 9 :i*1 by ! way1 are
 v unequal4 ,!re are a good _m book     
illu/rations publi%$ 9 ,italy1 ,i %\ld  
m5tion1 l ^? to ,ulric ,hahn's          
,m$itations ( ,turrecremata1 :i* are    
purely ,g]man 9 /yle2 :i* is only to be 
expect$ f ! fact ( ! e>ly pr9t]s 9      
,italy be+ mo/ly ,g]mans4  ,i am sorry  
to h to say x1 b ,engl& _c be said to h 
a s*ool ( ,go?ic book illu/ration2 !    
cuts 9 our e>ly pr9t$ books are1 at !   
be/1 ,fr5* or ,flemi% blocks pretty well
 copi$4 ,?is lam5table fact is curi\s1  
consid]$ along ) :at is also a fact3 t 9
 ! ?irte5? & f\rte5? c5turies ! ,engli% 
71 on ! :ole1 ! be/ book decorators4  ,i
 h a few words to say yet on ! practical
 lessons to be d]iv$ f ! /udy ( ^! works
 ( art2 b be=e ,i say !m1 ,i w %[ y1 by 
y\r leave1 ! slides tak5 f examples ( ^!
 woodcuts4 ,only ,i mu/ tell y fir/1 :at
 d\btless _m ( y "k1 t ^! old blocks 7 n
 produc$ by ! grav] on ! end section ( a
 piece ( f9e-gra9$ wood 7box n[         
inv>iably71 b by ! knife on ! plank     

section ( pe>-tree or simil> wood--a mu*
 m difficult feat :5 ! cuts 7 f9e1 z1   
e4g41 9 ,ltzelb]g]'s m>vell\s cuts ( !  
,dance ( ,dea?4  ,mr4 ,morris !n %[$ a  
s]ies ( lant]n slides1 :i* he describ$ z
 foll[s3  #a4 ,?is is tak5 f ! ,ars     
,mori5di1 date ab\t #adbj4 ,y may call x
 ,flemi% or ,dut*1 subject to rais+ !   
controv]sy ,i m5tion$ j n[4  #b4 ,!     
,song ( ,solomon1 ab\t ! same date4  #c4
 ,f ! fir/ illu/rat$ book ( ! ,ulm      
s*ool4 ,! ,r5[n$ & ,noble ,ladies (     
,boccaccio4 ,x beg9s ) ,adam & ,eve4 ,! 
initial lett] is v *>act]i/ic ( ! ,ulm  
s*ool ( ornam5t4 ,! trail ( ! s]p5t =ms 
! ,s1 & 9 ! knots ( ! tail are little   
figures repres5t+ ! sev5 deadly s9s4    
#d4 ,ano!r page f ! same book4 ,c]es & !
 ,art ( ,agriculture4 ,"o ( ! great     
drawbacks to wood block pr9t+ 9 ^? times
 0 ! weakness ( ! presses4 ,_! only     
res\rce 0 to pr9t ) ! pap] v wet1 & ) v 
s(t pack+1 s t ! block w5t well into !  
pap]2 b _m books1 & ?is among/ o!rs1 h  
suff]$ mu* f ?is cause4  #e4 ,ano!r page

 ( ! same book4 ,! date is #adgc4  #f4  
,?is is f an ,augsburg book4 ,speculum  
,human ,vit1 writt5 by a ,spani% bi%op1 
:i* 0 a great fav\rite 9 ! ,middle      
,ages4 ,x gives ! advantages &          
disadvantages ( all conditions ( life4  
,?is block conta9s a g5ealogical tree ( 
! ,hapsburg family1 & is an exce$+ly    
beautiful piece ( ornam5tal design1 v   
well cut4  #g4 ,f ! same book2 repres5t+
 n ! ,five ,alls1 ) :i* y are famili>1 b
 ! ,f\r ,alls2 ! g5tleman1 ! m]*ant1 !  
nobleman1 & ! poor man1 :o is ! support 
( ! :ole lot1 ) 8 toes com+ ?r\gh 8     
%oes4 ,?is is a f9e specim5 ( pr9t+ (   
,gun!r ,za9]4 ,! initial lett]s are v   
h&some 9 all ^! ,augsburg books4  #h4   
,!re is a picture ( ! ,unju/ ,lawy]1 f !
 same book1 tak+ money f bo? sides4 ,!  
date ( ?is book is ab\t #adge4  #i4 ,f  
sop's ,fables1 a reproduction ( ! ,ulm  
sop1 by ,antony ,sorg1 ( ,augsburg 7b ! 
pictures are pr9t$ f ! same blocks71 !  
,fly on ! ,:eel1 & ! ,jackdaw &         
,peacock4 ,^! designs = ! sop pictures  

w5t all ?r\gh ! ,middle ,ages1 ) v      
little alt]ation4  #aj4 ,k+ ,/ork & ,k+ 
,log1 f ! same book4  #aa4 ,?is is f !  
,table-book ( ,bidpay1 by ,conrad       
,d9ckmu?1 :o c>ri$ on ! e>ly glories ( !
 ,ulm s*ool 9 a lat] g5]ation2 ab\t     
#adhf4  #ab4 ,! ,p>rot 9 a ,cage1 ) !   
ladies mak+ a %am /orm to cause ! poor  
bird to be put to dea?4 ,d9ckmu? did "s 
v rem>kable "w3 "o ( ! be/ ( :i* 0 a    
,g]man translation ( ! ,eunu*us (       
,t]5ce2 ano!r ! ,*ronicle ( ! ,swabians4
  #ac4 ,! ,s*atzbehalt]1 publi%$ by     
,koburg]1 ( ,nuremb]g1 #adia4 ,al?\gh s 
late1 !re is no trace ( any classical   
influ5ce 9 ! design4 ,! ar*itecture1 =  
in/ance1 is pure late ,g]man            
ar*itecture4  #ad4 ,f ! same book1      
,jo%ua ,meet+ ! ,angel1 & ,moses at !   
,burn+ ,bu%4  #ae4 ,a page1 or "p ( a   
page1 f ! celebrat$ ,nuremb]g ,*ronicle1
 pr9t$ by ,koburg] 9 #adic4 ,?is is1 9 a
 way1 an exception to ! rule ( illu/rat$
 books be+ 9 ! v]nacul>1 z x is 9 ,lat92
 b !re is also a ,g]man edition4  #af4  

,ano!r specim5 ( ! same book4  #ag4 ,f a
 curi\s devotional book1 ,d] ,seusse1   
pr9t$ by ,antony ,sorg1 at ,augsburg1   
ab\t #adhe4  #ah4 ,ano!r page1 :i* %[s !
 decorative skill ) :i* !y manag$ _!    
diagram pictures4  #ai4 ,an example ( ! 
,flemi% s*ool1 & *>act]i/ic ( ! design (
 :ite & black1 :i* is s (t5 us$ bo? by !
 ,flor5t9e & ! ,flemi% wood-cutt]s4 ,x  
is f a life ( ,*ri/1 publi%$ by ,g]>d   
,leeuw 9 #adhg4  #bj4 ,ano!r page f !   
same book4 ,!re are c]ta9ly two arti/s 9
 ?is book1 & ! "o on ! left appe>s to be
 ! m pictorial ( ! two2 ?\gh 8 designs  
are graceful1 he is h>dly z good z !    
r\gh] book illu/rator4 ,g]>d ,leeuw _h a
 v h&some set ( initial lett]s1 a k9d ( 
ornam5t :i* did n become common until   
aft] #adhj4  #ba4 ,ano!r "o f ! same    
book4  #bb4 ,f ano!r ,flemi% book1 %[+  
h[ ! /yle runs ?r\gh !m all4 ,/4 ,george
 & ! ,dragon2 f ,a ,gold5 ,leg5d1 #aejc4
  #bc4 ,"o ( ,fr5* s]ies1 f a v         
celebrat$ book call$ ,la ,m] des        
,hi/oires4 ,x beg9s ! hi/ory ( ,france a

 little be=e ! deluge4 ,x is a mo/      
beautiful book1 & v l>ge4 ,"o w\ld ?9k  
^! bord]s 7 meant to be pa9t$1 z s _m   
,books ( ,h\rs 71 b ,i h nev] se5 a copy
 :i* has _h ! bord]s pa9t$1 ?\gh1 z a   
rule1 :5 ! bord]s are meant to be pa9t$1
 x is n common to f9d "o pla94  #bd4    
,ano!r page f ! same book2 b ! slide    
does n d ju/ice to x4 ,i w "h m5tion t  
"o fail+ ( ! ,fr5* publi%]s 0 to make "o
 picture s]ve = sev]al purposes4 ,! fact
 is1 !y 7 m c>eful ( decoration ?an     
illu/ration4  #be4 ,ano!r ,fr5* book by 
a ,fr5* pr9t]1 ! ,aubre des ,batailles1 
:i* illu/rates t curi\s quality (       
romance :i* y f9d 9 ! ,fr5* pictures4 ,x
 is true t _m ( ^! cuts 7 n made = ?is  
book2 9 fact1 !y 7 done = ano!r edition 
( ! ,*evali] ,delibr1 ! ,flemi% edition 
( :i* ,i h m5tion$ be=e1 = "s h t "n on 
!m4  #bf4 ,ano!r f ! same book4  #bg4   
,ano!r good example ( ! ,fr5* decorative
 /yle4 ,x is f ,petr>*'s ,rem$y ( ei!r  
,=tune4 ,?is is ! au?or pres5t+ 8 book  
to ! k+1 & is (t5 us$ 9 ^! ,fr5* books4 

#bh4 ,f ano!r ,fr5* book ( ab\t ! same  
date 7! beg9n+ ( ! sixte5? c5tury71 ,!  
,%eph]d's ,cal5d>1 ( :i* !re 7 a great  
numb] ( ,engli% editions1 ev5 z late z  
#afef1 ! cuts be+ imitat$ f ^! blocks4  
#bi4 ,a page f "o ( ! beautiful ,books (
 ,h\rs1 :i* 7 mo/ly pr9t$ on vellum1 e  
page ( :i* is decorat$ m or less ) ?is  
sort ( picture4 ,"h is ! cal5d>1 ) !    
signs ( ! ,zodiac1 ! "w ( ! mon?s1 !    
sa9ts t occur 9 x1 & games & sports2 on 
! o!r side is ! ,sangraal4 ,?is book is 
?r\gh\t 9 ! same /yle--:olly ,go?ic4 ,x 
0 pr9t$ 9 #adih1 & ab\t tw5ty ye>s aft] 
^! s]vice-books became v mu* damag$ by  
hav+ ,r5aissance features introduc$ f   
,g]man arti/s ( ! "t4  #cj4 ,ano!r page 
f ! same book4 ,! ,resurrection1 & !    
rais+ ( ,laz>us are ! pr9cipal subjects4
  #ca4 ,nom9ally an ,italian woodcut2 ! 
book 0 pr9t$ at ,milan1 b ?is cut is    
probably ( ,g]man design1 if n          
execution4  #cb4 ,f a v beautiful book 9
 ! ,flor5t9e /yle4 ,"o ( ! peculi>ities 
is ! copi\s use ( :ite out ( black4     

#cc4 ,ano!r f ! same--,! ,quatre reggio1
 #aejh4  #cd4 ,ano!r1 v *>act]i/ic ( !  
,flor5t9e /yle1 ) its beautiful l&scape 
backgr\nd4  #ce4 ,?is is "o 9 :i* !     
ornam5t has really got into !           
,r5aissance /yle4 ,x is a sort ( ,lucky 
,book1 ) all sorts ( ways ( f9d+ y\r    
=tune1 discov]+ :]e y\r money has gone1 
:o is y\r enemy1 & s on4 ,"o ( ! ,pes*ia
 books1 actually pr9t$ at ,milan1 b ( ! 
,v5etian s*ool4  #cf4 ,f a book ( !     
,v5etian /yle1 ab\t ! same date4 ,i %[ x
 z an example ( ! c>efulness & beauty ) 
:i* ! arti/s ( ! "t comb9$ ! bord] "w ) 
! pictures4 ,!re is some?+ v            
satisfactory 9 ! proportion ( black &   
:ite 9 ! :ole page4  ,n[ y h se5 my     
examples1 ,i want once m to impress ^u y
 ! fact t ^! designs1 "o & all1 :ile !y 
p]=m _! especial function--! (fice (    
tell+ a tale--nev] =get _! o!r function 
( decorat+ ! book ( :i* !y =m a "p2 ?is 
is ! ess5tial diff]5ce betwe5 !m & mod]n
 book illu/rations1 :i* ,i suppose make 
no pret5ce at decorat+ ! pages ( ! book1

 b mu/ be look$ ^u z black & :ite       
pictures :i* x is conv5i5t to pr9t & b9d
 up along ) ! pr9t$ matt]4 ,! "q1 9     
fact1 :i* ,i want to put to y is ?is1   
,:e!r we are to h books :i* are         
beautiful z books2 books 9 :i* type1    
pap]1 woodcuts1 & ! due arrangem5t ( all
 ^! are to be consid]$1 & :i* are s     
treat$ z to produce a h>moni\s :ole1    
some?+ :i* w give a p]son ) a s5se (    
beauty real pleasure :5ev] & :]ev] !    
book is op5$1 ev5 be=e he beg9s to look 
closely into ! illu/rations2 or :e!r !  
beautiful & inv5tive illu/rations are to
 be look$ on z sep>ate pictures imb$d$ 9
 a piece ( utilit>ianism1 :i* !y _c     
decorate because x _c help !m to d s4   
,take1 z an example ( ! latt]1 ,mr4     
,fr$4 ,walk]'s illu/rations to ,philip 9
 ! ,cornhill ,magaz9e1 ( ! days :5 "s ( 
u 7 "y1 s9ce ,i am incl9$ to ?9k t !y   
are ab\t ! be/ ( su* illu/rations4 ,n[  
!y are "p ( ,?ack]ay's /ory1 & ,i don't 
want !m to be 9 any way less a "p ( x1 b
 !y are 9 no respect a "p ( ! tangible  

pr9t$ book1 & ,i d want !m to be t4 ,z x
 is1 ! mass ( utilit>ian matt] 9 :i* !y 
are imb$d$ is absolutely helpless &     
dead4 ,:y x is n ev5 ugly--at lea/ n    
vitally ugly4  ,n[ ! rev]se is ! case ) 
! books f :i* ,i h tak5 ! examples :i* y
 h be5 see+4 ,z ?+s to be look$ at !y   
are beautiful1 tak5 z a :ole2 !y are    
alive all ov]1 & n m]ely 9 a corn] "h & 
!re4 ,! illu/rator has to %>e ! success 
& ! failure1 n only ( ! wood-cutt]1 :o  
has translat$ 8 draw+1 b also ( ! pr9t] 
& ! m]e ornam5tali/1 & ! result is t y h
 a book :i* is a visible "w ( art4  ,y  
may say t y don't c>e = ?is result1 t y 
wi% to read lit]ature & to look at      
pictures2 & t s long z ! mod]n book     
gives y ^! pleasures y ask no m ( x2    
well1 ,i c und]/& t1 b y mu/ p>don me if
 ,i say t y\r int]e/ 9 books 9 t case is
 lit]>y only1 & n arti/ic1 & t implies1 
,i ?9k1 a p>tial crippl+ ( ! faculties2 
a mis=tune :i* no "o %\ld be pr\d (4    
,h[ev]1 x seems c]ta9 t !re is gr[+ up a
 ta/e = books :i* are visible works (   

art1 & t especially 9 ?is c\ntry1 :]e ! 
pr9t]s1 at _! be/1 d n[ use lett]s mu*  
sup]ior 9 =m to ^? 9 use else:]e1 & :]e 
a great deal ( "w int5d+ to ornam5t     
books reasonably is turn$ out2 mo/ (    
:i*1 h[ev]1 is defici5t 9 "s respect2   
:i*1 9 fact1 is seldom satisfactory     
unless ! :ole page1 picture1 ornam5t1 & 
type is reproduc$ lit]ally f ! h&iwork (
 ! arti/1 z 9 "s ( ! beautiful works (  
,mr4 ,walt] ,crane4 ,b ?is is a ?+ t c  
r>ely be done1 & :at we want1 x seems to
 me1 is1 n t books %\ld sometimes be    
beautiful1 b t !y %\ld g5]ally be       
beautiful2 inde$1 if !y are n1 x        
increases ! difficulties ( ^? :o w\ld   
make !m sometimes beautiful imm5sely4   
,at any rate1 ,i claim t illu/rat$ books
 %\ld always be beautiful1 unless1      
p]haps1 :]e ! illu/rations are pres5t r 
= ! purpose ( giv+ in=mation ?an = t (  
giv+ pleasure to ! intellect ?r\gh !    
eye2 b surely1 ev5 9 ?is latt] case1 !y 
%\ld be reasonably & dec5tly good-look+4
  ,well1 h[ is ?is beauty to be obta9$8 

,x mu/ be by ! h>moni\s cop]ation ( !   
craftsm5 & arti/s :o produce ! book4    
,fir/1 ! pap] %\ld be good1 :i* is a m  
important po9t ?an might be ?\ght1 & "o 
9 :i* !re is a mo/ complete contra/     
betwe5 ! old & ! mod]n books2 = no bad  
pap] 0 made till ab\t ! middle ( !      
sixte5? c5tury1 & ! wor/ t 0 made ev5 !n
 0 f> bett] ?an :at is n[ consid]$ good4
 ,next1 ! type mu/ be good1 a matt] 9   
:i* !re is m room = excell5ce ?an ^? may
 ?9k :o h n /udi$ ! =ms ( lett]s        
closely4 ,!re are o!r matt]s1 h[ev]1    
besides ! m]e =m ( ! type :i* are ( mu* 
importance 9 ! produc+ ( a beautiful    
book1 :i*1 h[ev]1 ,i _c g into tonight1 
z x is a little beside my pres5t        
subject4 ,!n1 ! m]e ornam5t mu/ be good1
 & ev5 v good4 ,i d n "k any?+ m        
dispirit+ ?an ! m]e platitudes ( pr9t]s'
 ornam5ts--trade ornam5ts4 ,x is n      
uncommon n[-a-days to see h&some books q
 spoil$ by !m--books 9 :i* pla91        
unadorn$ lett]s w\ld h be5 f> m         
ornam5tal4  ,!n we come to ! picture    

woodcuts4 ,& "h ,i feel ,i %all f9d _m (
 y diff]+ f me /rongly2 = ,i am sure t  
su* illu/rations z ^? excell5t black &  
:ite pictures ( ,fr$4 ,walk] c\ld nev]  
make book ornam5ts4 ,! arti/1 to produce
 ^! satisfactorily1 mu/ ex]cise sev]e   
self-re/ra9t1 & mu/ nev] lose sight ( ! 
page ( ! book he is ornam5t+4 ,t ought  
to be obvi\s to y1 b ,i am afraid x w n 
be4 ,i d n ?9k any arti/ w ev] make a   
good book illu/rator1 unless he is ke5ly
 alive to ! value ( a well-drawn l9e1   
crisp & clean1 sugge/+ a simple &       
beautiful silh\ette4 ,any?+ :i* obscures
 ?is1 & j to ! ext5t to :i* x does      
obscure x1 takes away f ! fitness ( !   
design z a book ornam5t4 ,9 ?is art     
vagu5ess is q inadmissible4 ,x is bett] 
to be wrong ?an vague 9 mak+ designs :i*
 are meant to be book ornam5ts4  ,aga91 
z ! arti/s' designs mu/ necess>ily be   
reproduc$ = ?is purpose1 he %\ld nev]   
lose sight ( ! mat]ial he is design+ =4 
,lack ( precision is fatal 7to take up  
aga9 :at ,i h j advanc$7 9 an art       

produc$ by ! po9t ( ! grav] on a mat]ial
 :i* (f]s j ! am\nt ( resi/ance :i*     
helps precision4 ,& "h ,i come to a v   
important "p ( my subject1 to wit1 !    
relation betwe5 ! design] & !           
wood-engrav]2 & x is cle> t if ^! two   
arti/s d n und]/& "o ano!r1 ! result mu/
 be failure2 & ?is und]/&+ c nev] exi/  
if ! wood-engrav] has b to cut s]vilely 
:at ! arti/ draws c>elessly4 ,if any    
real s*ool ( wood-engrav+ is to exi/    
aga91 ! wood-cutt] mu/ be an arti/      
translat+ ! design]'s draw+4 ,x is q    
pitiable to see ! pati5ce & +5uity ( su*
 clev] workm51 z "s mod]n wood-cutt]s   
are1 ?r[n away on ! lit]al reproduction 
( m]e mean+less scrawls4 ,! want ( logic
 9 arti/s :o w insi/ on su* "w is really
 appall+4 ,x is ! actual t\*es ( ! h& t 
give ! speciality1 ! f9al f9i% to a "w (
 art1 :i* c>ries out 9 "o mat]ial :at is
 design$ 9 ano!r2 & = ! design] to      
ignore ! in/rum5t & mat]ial by :i* !    
t\*es are to be done1 %[s complete want 
( und]/&+ ( ! scope ( reproducible      

design4  ,i _c help ?9k+ t x w\ld be a  
good ?+ = arti/s :o consid] design+ a "p
 ( _! prov9ce 7,i admit !re are v few   
su* arti/s7 to le>n ! art (             
wood-engrav+1 :i*1 up to a c]ta9 po9t1  
is a f> f difficult art2 at any rate =  
^? :o h ! k9d ( eyes suitable = ! "w4 ,i
 d n mean t !y %\ld necess>ily always   
cut _! own designs1 b t !y %\ld be able 
to cut !m4 ,!y w\ld !n le>n :at ! real  
capacities ( ! art are1 & w\ld1 ,i %\ld 
hope1 give ! execut+ arti/s g5u9e       
designs to execute1 r ?an problems to   
solve4 ,i d n "k if x is necess>y to    
rem9d y t ! difficulties 9 cutt+ a      
simple design on wood 7& ,i repeat t all
 designs = book illu/rations %\ld be    
simple7 are v mu* decreas$ s9ce !       
fifte5? c5tury1 :]eas in/ead ( us+ !    
knife on ! plank section ( ! wood1 we n[
 use ! grav] on ! end section4 ,p]haps1 
inde$1 "s ( y may ?9k ?is simple        
wood-cutt+ contemptible1 because ( its  
ease2 b delicacy & ref9em5t ( execution 
are always necess>y 9 produc+ a l9e1 &  

?is is n easy1 nay x is n possible to ^?
 :o h n got ! due in/9ct = x2 m]e       
me*anical deftness is no sub/itute = ?is
 in/9ct4  ,aga91 z x is necess>y = !    
design] to h a feel+ = ! quality ( !    
f9al execution1 to sympa?ise ) !        
engrav]s difficulties1 & "k :y "o block 
looks arti/ic & ano!r me*anical2 s x is 
necess>y = ! engrav] to h "s capacity = 
design1 s t he may "k :at ! design]     
wants ( him1 & t he may be able to      
translate ! design]1 & give him a g5u9e 
& obvi\s cut l9e 9 place ( 8 p5cill$ or 
p5n$ l9e )\t injur+ 9 any way ! due     
expression ( ! orig9al design4 ,la/ly1  
:at ,i want ! arti/--! great man :o     
designs = ! humble executant--to ?9k (  
is1 n 8 drawn design1 :i* he %\ld look  
^u z a ?+ to be ?r[n away :5 x has s]v$ 
its purpose1 b ! f9i%$ & duly pr9t$     
ornam5t :i* is (f]$ to ! public4 ,i f9d 
t ! executants ( my humble designs      
always speak ( !m z sket*es1 h[ev]      
pa9/ak+ !y may be 9 execution4 ,?is is !
 recognis$ trade t]m1 & ,i q approve ( x

 z keep+ ! great man 9 8 place1 & %[+   
him :at 8 duty is1 to wit1 to take      
inf9ite tr\ble 9 gett+ ! f9i%$ "w turn$ 
out ( h&4 ,i lay x d[n z a g5]al        
pr9ciple 9 all ! arts1 :]e "o arti/'s   
design is c>ri$ out by ano!r 9 a diff]5t
 mat]ial1 t do+ ! "w twice ov] is by all
 means to be avoid$ z ! s\rce ( dead    
me*anical "w4 ,! sket* %\ld be z slight 
z possible1 i4e41 z mu* z possible %\ld 
be left to ! executant4  ,a ^w or two ( 
recapitulation z to ! practical side (  
my subject1 & ,i h done4 ,an illu/rat$  
book1 :]e ! illu/rations are m ?an m]e  
illu/rations ( ! pr9t$ text1 %\ld be a  
h>moni\s "w ( art4 ,! type1 ! spac+ ( ! 
type1 ! position ( ! pages ( pr9t on !  
pap]1 %\ld be consid]$ f ! arti/ic po9t 
( view4 ,! illu/rations %\ld n h a m]e  
accid5tal connection ) ! o!r ornam5t & !
 type1 b an ess5tial & arti/ic          
connection4 ,!y %\ld be design$ z a "p (
 ! :ole1 s t !y w\ld seem obvi\sly      
imp]fect )\t _! surr\nd+s4 ,! designs   
mu/ be suitable to ! mat]ial & me?od (  

reproduction1 & n (f] to ! executant    
arti/ a m]e ?icket ( unnatural          
difficulties1 produc+ no result :5      
f9i%$1 save ! exhibition ( a t\r de =ce4
 ,! executant1 on 8 side1 :e!r he be !  
orig9al design] or someone else1 mu/    
und]/& t 8 bus9ess is sympa!tic         
translation1 & n me*anical reproduction 
( ! orig9al draw+4 ,?is means1 9 o!r    
words1 ! design] ( ! picture-blocks1 !  
design] ( ! ornam5tal blocks1 !         
wood-engrav]1 & ! pr9t]1 all ( !m       
?\ghtful1 pa9/ak+ arti/s1 & all work+ 9 
h>moni\s cop]ation = ! production ( a "w
 ( art4 ,?is is ! only possible way 9   
:i* y c get beautiful books4     ,,"s   
,,notes ,,on ,,! ,,illum9at$ ,,books ,,(
 ,,! ,,middle ,,ages4     ,notes on     
,illum9at$ ,books   ,! ,middle ,ages may
 be call$ ! epo* ( writ+ p> excell5ce4  
,/one1 bronze1 wood5 rune-/aves1 wax$   
tablets1 papyrus1 c\ld be writt5 ^u ) "o
 in/rum5t or ano!r2 b all ^!--ev5 ! la/1
 t5d] & brittle z x 0--7 b make%ift     
mat]ials = writ+ on2 & x 0 n until      

p>*m5t & vellum1 & at la/ rag-pap]1     
became common1 t ! true mat]ial = writ+ 
on1 & ! quill p51 ! true in/rum5t =     
writ+ )1 7 us$4 ,f t "t till ! p]iod ( !
 g5]al use ( pr9t+ mu/ be consid]$ ! age
 ( writt5 books4 ,z 9 o!r h&icrafts1 s  
also 9 ?is1 ! great p]iod ( g5u9e       
creation 7once call$ ! ,d>k ,ages by ^? 
:o _h =gott5 ! pa/1 & ^: ideal ( !      
future 0 a com=table prison7 did all t 0
 wor? do+ z an art1 leav+ make%ifts to !
 p]iod ( ! ,new ,bir? & ! intellig5ce ( 
mod]n civilisation4  ,byzantium 0       
d\btless ! "m ( m$ival calligraphy1 b ! 
art spread spe$ily ?r\gh ! ,nor? (      
,europe & fl\ri%$ !re at an e>ly p]iod1 
& x is almo/ />tl+ to f9d x z we d 9    
full bloom 9 ,irel& 9 ! sev5? c5tury4   
,no m]e writ+ has be5 done be=e or s9ce 
) su* p]fection z t ( ! e>ly ,iri%      
ecclesia/ical books2 & ?is calligraphy  
is int]e/+ also1 z %[+ ! developm5t (   
:at is n[ call$ by pr9t]s l[]-case      
lett]1 f ! anci5t majuscul> *>act]s4 ,! 
writ+ is1 ,i mu/ repeat1 positively     

beautiful 9 itself1 ?or\ghly ornam5tal2 
b ^! books are mo/ly well equipp$ )     
actual ornam5t1 z c>efully execut$ z !  
writ+--9 fact1 m>vels ( pati5t & +5i\s  
int]lacem5ts4 ,?is ornam5t1 h[ev]1 has  
no relation 9 any g5u9e ,iri% book to ! 
traditional /yle ( ,byzantium1 b is r a 
bran* ( a great & widespread s*ool (    
primal decoration1 :i* has little int]e/
 9 ! repres5tation ( humanity & its     
do+s1 or1 inde$1 9 any organic life1 b  
is cont5t$ ) ! convolutions ( ab/ract   
l9es1 ov] :i* x atta9s to great ma/]y4  
,! mo/ obvi\s example ( ?is k9d ( art   
may be f\nd 9 ! c>v+s ( ! ,maoris ( ,new
 ,zeal&2 b x is common to _m races at a 
c]ta9 /age ( developm5t4 ,! col\r ( ^!  
,iri% ornam5ts is n v delightful1 & no  
gold appe>s 9 !m4 ,example3 ,! ,book (  
,kells1 ,tr9ity ,college1 ,dubl91 c4    
,?is ,iri% calligraphy & illum9ation 0  
tak5 up by ! ,nor? ( ,engl& monks2 & f  
!m1 ?\gh 9 less complet5ess1 by !       
,c>lov+ian mak]s ( books bo? 9 ,france &
 ev5 9 ,g]many2 b !y 7 n cont5t ) ! q   

elem5t>y repres5tation ( ! human =m     
curr5t 9 ! ,iri% illum9ations1 & fill$  
up ! gap by imitat+ ! ,byzant9e         
picture-books ) consid]able success     
,examples3 ,durham ,gospels1 ,briti%    
,museum1 ,gospels at ,b\logne1 c41 & 9  
"t develop$ a beautiful /yle (          
illum9ation comb9+ ornam5t )            
figure-draw+1 & "o seat ( :i* 9 ! e>ly  
elev5? c5tury 0 ,w9*e/]4 ,example3 ,*>t]
 ( f\ndation ( ,newm9/] at ,w9*e/]1     
,briti% ,museum4 ,gold 0 us$ ) "s       
copi\sness 9 ^! latt] books1 b is n se5 
9 ! c>efully-rais$ & highly-burni%$     
condition :i* is s *>act]i/ic ( m$ival  
illum9ation at its z5i?4  ,x %\ld be    
notic$ t among/ ! ,byzant9e books ( !   
e>li] p]iod are "s :i* on "o side       
surpass 9 m]e sumptu\sness all books ev]
 made2 ^! are writt5 9 gold & silv] on  
vellum /a9$ purple ?r\gh\t4 ,lat] on    
aga91 9 ! semi-,byzant9e-,anglo-,saxon  
or ,c>lov+ian p]iod1 are left u "s      
specim5s ( books writt5 9 gold & silv]  
on :ite vellum4 ,?is spl5d\r 0 at times 

resort$ to 7*iefly 9 ,italy7 9 ! latt]  
half ( ! fifte5? c5tury4  ,! j-m5tion$  
late ,anglo-,saxon /yle 0 ! imm$iate    
=]unn] ( :at may be call$ ! fir/        
complete m$ival s*ool1 t ( ! middle ( ! 
twelf? c5tury4 ,"h ! *ange = ! bett] is 
prodigi\s4 ,ap>t f ! actual pictures    
done = explanation ( ! text & !         
edification ( ! fai?ful1 ^! books are   
decorat$ ) bord]s1 ornam5tal lett]s1 c41
 9 :i* foliage & =ms human1 animal1 &   
mon/r\s are bl5d$ ) ! greate/ d>+ & mo/ 
complete ma/]y4 ,! draw+ is firm &      
precise1 & x may be said also t an un]r+
 sy/em ( beautiful col\r n[ makes its   
appe>ance4 ,?is col\r 7z all s*ools (   
decorative col\r n m or less effete7 is 
f\nd$ on ! juxtaposition ( pure r$ &    
blue modifi$ by delicate b cle> & bright
 l9es & pe>l+s ( :ite1 & by ! use ( a   
little gre5 & spaces ( pale p9k &       
fle%-col\r1 & "h & !re "s negative greys
 & ivory yell[s4 ,9 mo/ cases :]e ! book
 is at all spl5did1 gold is v freely    
us$1 mo/ly 9 l>ge spaces--backgr\nds & !

 l--:i*1 hav+ be5 gild$ ov] a solid     
gr\nd ) ?ick gold-leaf1 are burni%$ till
 !y look l solid plates ( actual metal4 
,! effect ( ?is is bo? spl5did & ref9$1 
! c>e ) :i* gold is laid on1 & its high 
f9i%1 prev5t+ any impression ( gaud9ess4
 ,! writ+ ( ?is p]iod becom+ some:at m  
def9itely ,go?ic1 does n fall %ort ( 7x 
c\ld n surpass7 t ( ! previ\s           
half-c5tury4  ,f ?is "t a v gradual     
*ange--dur+ :i* we h to note some:at m (
 delicacy 9 draw+ & ref9em5t (          
col\r--br+s u to ! fir/ qu>t] ( !       
?irte5? c5tury2 & "h a sund]+ ( ! /yles 
( ! diff]5t peoples beg9s to be obvi\s4 
,?r\gh\t ! twelf? c5tury1 ?\gh !re is a 
diff]5ce1 x is easi] to di/+ui% an      
,engli% or ,fr5* book f a ,g]man or     
,italian by ! writ+ ?an by !            
illum9ation2 b aft] #abbe ! fir/ glance 
on op5+ ! book w mo/ (t5 cry out at y1  
,g]man1 ,italian1 or ,fr5*-,engli%4 ,= !
 re/1 ! illum9ations /ill ga9 beauty &  
delicacy1 ! gold is ev5 m univ]sally    
brilliant1 ! col\r /ill m delici\s4 ,!  

sub-art ( ! rubricator1 z di/+ui%$ f !  
limn] & ! scribe1 n[ becomes m          
important1 & rema9s s d[n to ! end ( !  
fifte5? c5tury4 ,"w ( great f95ess &    
elegance1 drawn mo/ly ) p51 & always q  
freely1 9 r$ & blue c\nt]*ang$1 is      
lavi%$ on ! small] initials & o!r       
subsidi>ies ( ! pages1 produc+1 ) ! firm
 black writ+ & ! ivory tone ( ! vellum1 
a beautiful effect1 ev5 :5 ! m solid &  
elaborate illum9ation is lack+4 ,dur+   
?is p]iod1 ap>t f !ological &           
philosophical treatises1 h]bals1        
be/i>ies1 c41 ! book mo/ (t5 met )1     
especially :5 spl5didly ornam5t$1 is !  
,psalt]1 z sung 9 *ur*es1 to :i* is     
g5]ally add$ a cal5d>1 & always a litany
 ( ! sa9ts4 ,?is cal5d>1 by ! way1 bo? 9
 ?is & succe$+ c5turies1 is (t5 exce$+ly
 int]e/+1 f ! repres5tations giv5 9 x ( 
dome/ic occupations4 ,! great initial ,b
 7,beatus vir qui non7 ( ^! books af=ds 
an opportunity to ! illum9ator1 seldom  
miss$1 ( putt+ =? to ! full 8 p[]s (    
design & col\r4  ,! la/ qu>t] ( !       

?irte5? c5tury br+s u to ! climax (     
illum9ation consid]$ ap>t f             
book-pictures4 ,no?+ c exce$ ! grace1   
elegance1 & beauty ( ! draw+ & !        
lovel9ess ( ! col\r f\nd at ?is p]iod 9 
! be/-execut$ books2 & x mu/ be add$ t1 
?\gh "s "w is r\gh] ?an o!r1 at ?is "t  
!re w\ld appe>1 judg+ f exi/+ examples1 
to h be5 no bad "w done4 ,! tradition ( 
! epo* is all-embrac+ & all-p[]ful1 &   
yet no s+le volume is )\t a g5u9e       
individuality & life ( its own4 ,9 %ort 
if all ! o!r art ( ! ,middle ,ages _h   
disappe>$1 !y might /ill claim to be    
consid]$ a great p]iod ( art on ! /r5g? 
( _! ornam5tal books4  ,9 ! latt] "p ( !
 ?irte5? c5tury we note a complete      
diff]5tiation betwe5 ! "w ( ! c\ntries (
 ,europe4 ,!re are n[ ?ree great s*ools3
 ! ,fr5*-,flemi%-,engli%1 ! ,italian1 & 
! ,g]man4 ,( ^! ! fir/ is ( ! mo/1 ! la/
 ( ! lea/1 importance4 ,z to ! relations
 betwe5 ,engl& & ,france1 x mu/ be said 
t1 ?\gh !re is a diff]5ce betwe5 !m1 x  
is some:at subtle1 & may be put ?us3 (  

"s books y may say1 ,?is is ,fr5*2 (    
o!rs1 ,?is is ,engli%2 b ( ! great] "p y
 c say no?+ m ?an1 ,?is belongs to !    
,fr5*-,engli% s*ool4 ,( ^? t c be       
diff]5tiat$ ) some?+ l c]ta9ty1 x may be
 said t ! ,fr5* excel specially 9 a     
da9ty & ord]ly elegance1 ! ,engli%      
specially 9 love ( life & nature1 & !re 
is m ( rude hum\r 9 !m ?an 9 _! ,fr5*   
contempor>ies2 b he mu/ be at once a    
fa/idi\s & an absolute man :o c\ld say !
 ,fr5* is bett] ?an ! ,engli% or !      
,engli% ?an ! ,fr5*4  ,! ,norwi*        
,psalt]1 9 ! ,bodleian ,libr>y2 !       
,arundel1 ,que5 ,m>y's1 & ,t5nison      
,psalt]s1 9 ! ,briti% ,museum1 are among
 ! f9e/ ( ^! ,engli% books3 no?+ c      
surpass _! f]tility ( inv5tion1 spl5d\r 
( execution1 & beauty ( col\r4  ,?is end
 ( ! ?irte5? c5tury w5t on produc+      
spl5did psalt]s at a great rate2 b      
betwe5 #abfj & #acjj or #acbj ! greate/ 
indu/ry ( ! scribe 0 ex]cis$ 9 ! writ+ (
 ,bibles1 especially pocket volumes4 ,^!
 la/1 x is cle>1 7 produc$ 9 enorm\s    

quantities1 = 9 spite ( ! ravages ( "t  
_m ?\s&s ( !m /ill exi/4 ,!y are1 "o &  
all1 beautifully writt5 9 h&s necess>ily
 v m9ute1 & mo/ly v prettily illum9at$ )
 t9y figure-subjects 9 ! initials ( ea* 
book4 ,= a %ort p]iod at ! end ( ?is & !
 beg9n+ ( ! next c5tury _m copies ( !   
,apocalypse 7 produc$1 illu/rat$        
copi\sly ) pictures1 :i* give u examples
 ( s]i\s ,go?ic designs at its be/1 &   
seem to %[ u :at wall-pictures ( ! p]iod
 might h be5 9 ! ,nor? ( ,europe4  ,!   
f\rte5? c5tury1 ! great "m ( *ange1 0 z 
busy 9 mak+ ornam5tal books z 9 o!r     
arti/ic "w4 ,:5 we are once fairly 9 !  
c5tury a great *ange is app>5t aga9 9 ! 
/yle4 ,x is n q true to say t x is m    
r$undant ?an its pr$ecessor1 b x has m  
me*anical r$undancy4 ,! backgr\nds to ! 
pictures are m elaborat$2 sometimes     
diap]$ blue & r$1 sometimes gold mo/    
beautifully *as$ ) dots & l9es4 ,!      
bord]s cov] ! page m2 buds turn into op5
 leaves2 (t5 abundance ( birds & animals
 appe> 9 ! bord]s1 naturali/ically      

treat$ 7& v well drawn72 !re is m       
fre$om1 & yet less individuality 9 ?is  
"w2 9 %ort ! /yle1 ?\gh x has lo/ no?+  
79 its be/ works7 ( elegance &          
da9t9ess--qualities s desirable 9 an    
ornam5tal book--has lo/ some:at (       
manl9ess & precision2 & ?is goes on     
increas+ till1 t[>ds ! end ( ! c5tury1  
we feel t we h be=e u "w t is 9 p]il (  
an ess5tial *ange = ! worse4 ,9 ,france 
,bibles ,hi/oriaux1 i4e41 p>tial        
translations ( ! ,bible1 v copi\sly     
pictur$1 7 "o ( ! mo/ notewor?y         
productions ( ! latt] half ( ! c5tury4  
,! ,bible tak5 9 ! t5t ( ! ,fr5* ,k+ at 
! battle ( ,poiti]s1 n[ 9 ! ,briti%     
,museum1 is a f9e example4 ,!           
diff]5tiation1 too1 betwixt ! c\ntries  
increases2 be=e ! c5tury is q ov]1      
,engl& falls back 9 ! race ?\gh we h 9 !
 ,briti% ,museum "s magnific5t examples 
( ,engli% illum9ation ( ! end ( !       
f\rte5? & beg9n+ ( ! fifte5? c5turies1  
e4g41 ,! ,salisbury ,book2 a huge ,bible
 7,h>l4 i41 e4 ix47 ornam5t$ 9 a /yle v 

peculi>ly ,engli%4 ,! ,wyclifite        
translation ( ! ,bible at ! ,museum is a
 good specim5 ( ?is /yle1 & ,fr5*-,fl&]s
 & ,burgundy come =w>d1 :ile ,italy has 
h] face turn$ t[>d ,r5aissance1 &       
,g]many too (t5 %[s a t5d5cy t[>d       
co>s5ess & incomplet5ess1 :i* _h to be  
r$eem$ 9 ! long la/ by ! hone/y (       
inv5tion & fitness ( purpose ( h]       
woodcut ornam5ts to books4 ,_m mo/      
beautiful books1 h[ev]1 7 turn$ out1 n  
only ?r\gh\t ! f\rte5?1 b ev5 9 ! fir/  
half ( ! fifte5? c5tury4 ,! ,h\rs ( !   
,duke ( ,b]ry 7,biblio?que ,nationale1  
,p>is71 & ! ,b$=d ,h\rs1 9 ! ,briti%    
,museum1 bo? ,fr5*1 are exce$+ly spl5did
 examples ( ?is p]iod4  ,! fir/ h>b+] ( 
! great *ange t 0 to come ov] ! mak+ (  
books ,i take to be ! production 9      
,italy ( mo/ beautifully-writt5 copies (
 ! ,lat9 classics4 ,^! are (t5 v highly 
ornam5t$2 & at fir/ n only d !y imitate 
7v naturally7 ! sev]e h&s ( ! elev5? &  
twelf? c5turies1 b ev5 7?\gh a long way 
(f7 ! int]lac+ ornam5t ( t p]iod4 ,9 ^! 

books ! writ+1 x mu/ be said1 is 9 its  
k9d f> m beautiful ?an ! ornam5t4 ,!re 7
 s _m writt5 & pictur$ books produc$ 9 !
 fifte5? c5tury t space q fails me to   
write ( !m z _! great m]its des]ve4 ,9 !
 middle ( ! c5tury an inv5tion1 9 itself
 trifl+1 0 =c$ ^u ,europe by ! gr[+ dem&
 = m & *eap] books4 ,gut5b]g someh[ got 
hold ( pun*es1 matrices1 ! adju/able    
m\ld1 & s ( ca/ movable type2 ,s*oeff]1 
,m5tel91 & ! re/ ( !m caught up ! art ) 
! en]gy & skill s *>act]i/ic ( ! m$ival 
craftsman4 ,! new ,g]man art spread l   
wildfire into e c\ntry ( ,europe2 & 9 a 
few ye>s writt5 books _h become m]e toys
 = ! imm5sely ri*4 ,yet ! scribe1 !     
rubricator1 & ! illum9ator di$ h>d4     
,decorat$ writt5 books 7 produc$ 9 great
 numb]s aft] pr9t+ _h become common2 by 
f> ! great] numb] ( ^! 7 ,books ( ,h\rs1
 v highly ornam5t$ & mu* pictur$4 ,_!   
/yle is z def9ite z any ( ! =m] ones1 b 
x has n[ gone (f ! road ( logical       
consi/5cy2 = divorce has tak5 place     
betwe5 ! picture-"w & ! ornam5t4 ,(t5 ! 

pictures are exquisitely-f9i%$ m9iatures
 belong+ to ! be/ s*ools ( pa9t+ ( !    
day2 b (t5 also !y are cle>ly ! "w ( m5 
employ$ to fill up a space1 & hav+ no   
int]e/ 9 _! "w save livelihood4 ,!      
ornam5t nev] fell q s l[ z t1 ?\gh z    
ornam5t x is n v di/+ui%$1 & (t51       
especially 9 ! late/ books1 sc>cely adds
 to ! effect on ! page ( ! m9iature to  
:i* x is a subsidi>y4  ,b besides ^!    
late-writt5 books1 9 ! fir/ ye>s (      
pr9t+1 ! rubricator 0 g5]ally1 & !      
illum9ator n seldom1 employ$ on pr9t$   
books !mselves4 ,9 ! e>ly days ( pr9t+ !
 big initials 7 almo/ always left = !   
rubricator to pa9t 9 9 r$ & blue1 & 7   
(t5 decorat$ ) pretty scroll-"w by him2 
& sometimes "o or m pages ( ! book 7    
surr\nd$ ) ornam5t 9 gold & col\rs1 & ! 
initials elaborately f9i%$ 9 ! same way4
  ,! mo/ complete examples ( ?is latt]  
"w subsidi>y to ! pr9t$ page are f\nd 9 
e>ly books pr9t$ 9 ,italy1 especially 9 
! spl5did editions ( ! classics :i* came
 f ! presses ( ! ,roman & ,v5etian      

pr9t]s4  ,by ab\t #aecj all book        
illum9ation ( any value 0 ov]1 & ?us    
disappe>$ an art :i* may be call$       
peculi> to ! ,middle ,ages1 & :i*       
commonly %[s m$ival craftsman%ip at its 
be/1 p>tly because ( ! excell5ce ( ! "w 
itself1 & p>tly because t "w c only     
suff] f de/ruction & defacem5t1 & _c1 l 
m$ival build+s1 be subject$ to ! cruell]
 ravages ( re/oration4     ,,"h ,,end   
,,! ,,notes ,,on ,,e>ly ,,wood-,,cut    
,,books ,,by ,,william ,,morris4 ,,(    
,,?is ,,book ,,!re ,,h ,,be5 ,,pr9t$    
,,"o ,,hundr$ ,,& ,,tw5ty ,,copies ,,by 
,,cl>ke ,,conwell ,,at ,,! ,,el/on      
,,press3 ,,f9i%$ ,,?is ,,tw5tie? ,,day  
,,( ,,febru>y1 ,,mdccccii4 ,,sold ,,by  
,,cl>ke ,,conwell ,,at ,,! ,,el/on      
,,press1 ,,pelham ,,road1 ,,new         
,,ro*elle1 ,,new ,,york           99    
99      99      99      99      99      
,transcrib]'s note3  ,m9or typographical
 errors h be5 correct$ )\t note4        
,irregul>ities & inconsi/5cies 9 ! text 
h be5 reta9$ z pr9t$4