Art of the Book: From Medieval Manuscript to Graphic Novel

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Resource
Review: This book is a beautiful compilation put together by the former head of Special Collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Beginning with the illuminated manuscripts of medieval times, he traces the history of illustration and book decoration throughout the centuries. The design and layout of the book are also discussed in the chapters about bookbinding and typography. Not only does he address the amazing history of book illustration, but opens the door to the future of art and book design. Comics and graphic novels are given equal face time as the historical manuscripts, as is the experimental art scene in present-day Britain (posters, zines, etc.)

Each chapter includes a one-page essay on a certain illustration or design, or about the history of that medium. The essays are particularly well-written. My favorites among these essays included Ian Fleming's Bond books and the birth of the paperback, the descriptions on the medieval Book of Hours, and the illustrations of the fairy stories.

Beautiful book, and an amazing piece of scholarship.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Resource
Review: This book is a beautiful compilation put together by the former head of Special Collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Beginning with the illuminated manuscripts of medieval times, he traces the history of illustration and book decoration throughout the centuries. The design and layout of the book are also discussed in the chapters about bookbinding and typography. Not only does he address the amazing history of book illustration, but opens the door to the future of art and book design. Comics and graphic novels are given equal face time as the historical manuscripts, as is the experimental art scene in present-day Britain (posters, zines, etc.)

Each chapter includes a one-page essay on a certain illustration or design, or about the history of that medium. The essays are particularly well-written. My favorites among these essays included Ian Fleming's Bond books and the birth of the paperback, the descriptions on the medieval Book of Hours, and the illustrations of the fairy stories.

Beautiful book, and an amazing piece of scholarship.