Folio Ten from Burchard of Sion's De locis ac mirabilibus mundi, or an Illuminated Geography c. 1460

This is Folio Ten from Burchard of Sion’s ‘Illuminated Geography’, made with ink and paint on vellum, most likely in a monastic setting. Vellum, or calfskin, was a common writing surface during the medieval period, and the process of preparing it was labor-intensive. The rigid, creamy surface dictated the crisp, upright letterforms, and the luminous pigments allowed for vibrant decorative details. The rubrication, or use of red ink to emphasize certain words or phrases, adds another layer of visual interest, all of this showing us the material and intellectual investment in its production. This particular folio is filled with neat columns of text, interspersed with small, intricate illuminations. The use of precious materials like gold leaf would elevate the status of the book and reflect the patron's wealth and power. But it is the skilled handwork, a pre-industrial form of mass media that really brings this page to life. This manuscript is a testament to the skilled labor, as well as the cultural and economic forces that shaped its creation.