Glorious Illuminations: The Art of the Illuminated Manuscript
Clare Ford-Wille to give this month's Art Society Ealing Lecture
Matthew the Evangelist from the Lindisfarne Gospels c 700AD
May 22, 2025
The next meeting of The Art Society Ealing will hear a talk from Clare Ford-Wille on illuminated manuscripts.
Before the invention of printing in the 15th century, manuscripts were written and illuminated by hand, and each manuscript has its own particular beauty and character. From the Anglo-Saxon Lindisfarne Gospels or Book of Kells to the glories of the individual Books of Hours of the 15th century, such as the Très Riches Heures.
Some of the most sumptuous are those produced at the beginning of the 16th century in Bruges, Ghent and Milan. Despite being prayer books, they are filled with decorations of animals, birds and flowers, as well as delightful calendar pages of the labours of the months.
The lecturer, Clare Ford-Wille, has regular commitments with the Centre for Lifelong Learning, London University, National Gallery, V&A Museum, WEA, Morley College, the City Literary Institute, the Art Fund and National Trust. She often arranges study tours abroad.
This talk takes place at 7:30pm on Monday 26 May at St Barnabas Church Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing (W5 1QG).
Visitors are welcome to attend at £8 per lecture (£3 for students); payment can be made in cash or by card on the evening.
The Arts Society Ealing belongs to the large umbrella organisation, The Arts Society, previously known as the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS), which was founded in 1968. The local Society has a membership of around 140.
The Arts Society Ealing holds 10 lectures a year and more information can be found by visiting its web site.
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