An astonishing mix of mundane, playful, absurd and monstrous beings are found in the borders of English, French, and Italian manuscripts from the Gothic era. Unpredictable, topical, often irreverent, like the New Yorker cartoons of today, marginalia-images drawn in the margins of manuscripts-were a source of satire, serious social observation, and amusement for medieval readers. Through enlarged, full-colour details and a lively narrative, this volume brings these intimately scaled, fascinating images to a wider audience.

About the Author
Margot McIlwain Nishimura teaches the history of medieval art at the Rhode Island School of Design. She was introduced to the study of medieval and Renaissance manuscripts as an undergraduate intern in the Department of Medieval Manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Reviews
"A truly unique and sublime visual study into medieval artistry - awe-inspiring in its detail and imagination." Harry Bliss, cover artist for the New Yorker; "One of a series of well-produced books that showcases the riches of the Getty's collections." Reference and Research Book News; "The reproductions are intricate and lovely puzzles for the grown-up eyeball/mind, so beauteously high-coloured and attractive that it is hard to stop looking." Lincoln County News (Damariscotta, Maine); "Strikes the perfect tone, focusing in each instance on the role of marginalia within its manuscript." Comitatus, A Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies



Book Information
ISBN 9780892369829
Author Margot Nishimura
Format Hardback
Page Count 96
Imprint J. Paul Getty Museum
Publisher Getty Trust Publications
Weight(grams) 468g
Dimensions(mm) 222mm * 195mm * 14mm