Eleanor Jackson – författare

Gold is universally appreciated for its beauty and value. Since ancient times, people have found all kinds of ways to incorporate gold into handmade books and documents – gold writing, gold pages, pictures ornamented with gold, gold book covers. This exhibition will bring together some of the British Library’s most luxurious golden illuminated manuscripts from around the world to explore the different techniques used to apply gold and to tell the story of gold’s significance.The exhibition celebrates cultural diversity by bringing together items from at least 20 different countries worldwide, representing many languages and the major world religions. The majority of items included in the exhibition date from pre-1600, with some South and Southeast Asian objects from the 17th-19th centuries, and some 20th century items.Written and selected by the curatorial team, the dazzling, large-format Gold Exhibition Highlights Book showcases the British Library’s exceptional collection of manuscript items incorporating gold as featured in this major exhibition. The featured items have universal appeal and are central to the traditions of book art from around the world.

The Lindisfarne Gospels is an extraordinary book and one of the British Library's greatest treasures. It was hand-written and decorated over 1,300 years ago by a single supremely gifted scribe-artist. It inspires awe both as a pinnacle of book design and for the fascinating story of how it came down to us in almost pristine condition. Every aspect of its design displays meticulous care, keen responsiveness to a wide range of cultural contacts, and the workings of an immense and brilliant imagination.This brand-new, accessible volume explores the latest research and thinking on the Lindisfarne Gospels and is published as the manuscript goes on loan to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle for an exhibition exploring its meaning in today's world. This magnificent guide presents a detailed introduction and commentary alongside the highest quality, detailed illustrations which celebrate the intricate, interlaced geometrical precision of one of the finest early medieval craftsmen.

Thisbeautifully illustrated, large format volume accompanies the BritishLibrary's major Autumn exhibition which seeks to recover women's voices,visions and experiences in Britain and Europe from around 1100 to 1500. Womenof this period, whether as authors, artists, scribes, patrons, readers,wives, mothers, daughters, leaders, workers, makers, traders and more, telltheir histories through their own words and reveal them through their ownimages, artworks and documents.Through aselection of detailed expert essays and some 40 spotlight studies, MedievalWomen reveals a rich and complex picture of their world, full of colourfulcharacters and intriguing stories from famous personalities such as Christinede Pizan, Joan of Arc and Julian of Norwich, to lesser-known figures such asSibilla von Bondorff, Clemence of Barking and Margaret Paston. Both theexhibition, and this accompanying book, will showcase star items from theBritish Library and major European collections as well as bringing to lightlittle-known, deeply resonant, and highly personal, gems and keepsakes fromthis fascinating era.