Divina Verba
Calligraphy & Illumination
Medieval & Renaissance
These pieces are all based on authentic Medieval and Renaissance styles of manuscript art. They are painted with gouache on paper and gilded with 23k or 24k gold leaf using a variety of gilding techniques, both modern and historical.
LARGE PIECES
These are either made on commission or for an art show. They are complex and time-consuming to plan, design, and then execute. Each one is entirely unique and commissioned pieces are made in close consultation with the client.
The Tempest
Chekov Quote
Baby Gift
Illuminated Shakespeare quote in the style of the Bible of Borso d'Este, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance illuminated manuscript art.
Illuminated manuscript art on paper with gouache, sumi ink, and 24k gold gilding.
Framed, the illuminated manuscript art measures 21" by 23."
Illuminated Shakespeare quote in the style of the Bible of Borso d'Este, a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance illuminated manuscript art.
Illuminated quote is done in the Romanesque style. Romanesque art flourished in Medieval Europe during the 11th and 12th Centuries.
This illuminated manuscript art is made with gouache and 24k gold leaf on paper. The gilding is done with a combination of modern Ormoline size and traditional gum arabic.
Framed, this piece measures 19" by 11".
Illuminated quote is done in the Romanesque style. Romanesque art flourished in Medieval Europe during the 11th and 12th Centuries.
This baby gift was designed in the International Gothic style. The style dates from the late 14th C to the early 15th C.
Piece is 12 x 18 inches. Gouache and 24k gold leaf on watercolor paper. Illumination is done with a modern gilding technique.
Motifs were drawn from an illuminated manuscript currently in the collection of the Getty Museum.
This baby gift was designed in the International Gothic style. The style dates from the late 14th C to the early 15th C.
Commission
Church Commission
Poem
This example of illuminated manuscript art was made for a customer who wanted her initials to use in branding for a Medieval-inspired business.
Gouache and 24k gold leaf. Gilding is done in a combination of two modern gilding techniques. The finished artwork measures 12 x 18 inches.
The client was undecided about style, but decided on this one expressly because the original illuminated manuscript had been made by women.
This example of illuminated manuscript art was made for a customer who wanted her initials to use in branding for a Medieval-inspired business.
Made to recognize the contributions of a retiring vestry member from Saint Thomas Church in NYC.
Art work is 22 x 30 inches on watercolor paper. Gouache and 24k gold leaf gilding with traditional raised gesso illuminated letters. Other details down in 24k gold paint.
At the request of the client, the Church's heraldic crest was added at the bottom.
Made to recognize the contributions of a retiring vestry member from Saint Thomas Church in NYC.
This illuminated poem is done as a visual pun. I started with the poem, from the Harlem Renaissance, and decided to pair it with a decorative border from the Italian Renaissance.
Gouache and 23k gold leaf on watercolor paper. Gilding is done with a modern gilding technique. Calligraphy is done with walnut ink in the Foundational hand.
Bianchi Girari, or White Vine illumination, is a style used very commonly during the Italian Renaissance. It was often accompanied by Humanist lettering. Foundational is a modern hand inspired by Humanist.
This illuminated poem is done as a visual pun. I started with the poem, from the Harlem Renaissance, and decided to pair it with a decorative border from the Italian Renaissance.
Small PIECES
Individual and double letters like these are easily ordered through my ETSY shop, or directly from me. Triple letters and monograms can be custom ordered as well.
Florentine
Illuminated Letters
Gothic Beast
Illuminated Letters
Various Styles
Illuminated Letters
Illuminated letter R in a Florentine style
Florentine style illumination. Decorative elements like these were made by Florentine manuscript artists during the mid- and late-15th centuries.
Illuminated letter done in the Florentine style of Renaissance manuscript illumination
Illuminated letter R in a Florentine style
The Gothic style of illuminated manuscripts predominated between 1200-1350. Mine are all executed using dragon-like creatures that can be found in some of these historical letters.
Illuminated letter K in a Gothic style
The Gothic style of illuminated manuscripts predominated between 1200-1350. Mine are all executed using dragon-like creatures that can be found in some of these historical letters.
The Gothic style of illuminated manuscripts predominated between 1200-1350. Mine are all executed using dragon-like creatures that can be found in some of these historical letters.
Medieval illuminated letter S in a filigree style.
Medieval illuminated letter S in a filigree style.
Filigree or Fleuronnée letters can be found in illuminated manuscripts across many centuries. Later examples are more elaborate, like this one.
Medieval illuminated letter S in a filigree style.