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Suzanne Moore -- MANUScript: Historical Roots of the Modern Manuscript Book

1,413 views · Published 14 July 2010 · 1:45:02 · Indexed 6 October 2026

Channel: University of Oregon · 2010 · Education

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"Manuscript", from "manu scriptus" is defined as, "a book . . . written by hand, especially before the invention of printing." The tradition of illuminated manuscript books provides the foundation upon which much of the finest contemporary manuscript book design and creation are based.

This rich visual presentation describes the connections between historical manuscripts and their contemporary descendants. We will consider the connections and the dramatic contrasts between historic and contemporary manuscript books.

While tools, techniques, materials and design principles often remain constant, historic and contemporary manuscript books reflect the distinct visual ideas, design sense, the individual perspective, as well as the social and political climate of individual creators. Regardless of the time period, letters written or rendered by hand infuse a text with a particular aesthetic, and combine with imagery to convey, inform and enrich each text.

Suzanne Moore is a painter and lettering artist whose book works explore the boundaries and links between word and image. Over twenty years, her manuscript books have investigated such subjects as Sequoyah and the Cherokee syllabic writing system, the spiritual aspects of gardening, and artists' thoughts on creative process. As part of the Wales-based team of illuminators and scribes, she is one of two Americans creating illuminations for the Saint John's Bible. Among the private and public collections in the USA and Europe which have acquired Suzanne's work are the Pierpont Morgan Library, The Library of Congress, The James S. Copley Library, and the rare book collections at Harvard University, Smith College and Wellesley College.

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