The Making of a Medieval Manuscript

Exhibition
Manuscript illumination of a haloed figure sitting at a stand with writing implements in hand.

Saint Luke from Irmengard Codex (detail), shortly after 1053, German. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 125 (2023.6), fol. 3v

Books were written, decorated, and bound entirely by hand during the pre-modern era in Europe. This exhibition explores the four stages of making medieval books, from preparing animal skin to make parchment, to the methods and materials used for the subsequent phases of writing, painting, and binding. A selection of manuscripts from the Museum’s collection elucidates these steps and the techniques used.

This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exposición se muestra en inglés y en español.

Aug 4, 2026–Mar 14, 2027

Getty Center

Museum West Pavilion, Lower Level

Free

All exhibitions are included in your free, timed-entry reservation to Getty. Reservations are available six weeks in advance. Please note, there is a fee for parking.

Plan your visit

Selected Works

  • Solomon Writing (detail) from a Bible

    1637-38, Malnazar and Aghap'ir. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig I 14 (83.MA.63), fol. 358v

    Illumination detail from a medieval manuscript in vibrant colors and gold leaf of a person in robes with a halo writing on a page.

  • Decorated Text Page (detail) from Prayer Book of Charles the Bold

    1469, Nicolas Spierinc (scribe); unknown Flemish artist. Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, silver paint, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 37 (89.ML.35), fol. 27v

    Detail of an illuminated medieval manuscript page showing the outline of a dragon-like creature sitting above calligraphic text.

  • Decorated Text Page from a Qu'ran

    800s, North African. Pen and ink, gold paint, and tempera colors on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig X 1 (83.MM.118), fol. 4

    Calligraphic Arabic script with gold illumination on a page of light-colored parchment.

  • Front Cover from a Bible

    about 1450, German. Wood boards covered with original brown calf. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig I 13 (83.MA.62)

    Embossed leather-bound book with metal hardware corners and latches.

  • The Rejection of Joachim and Anna's Offering from a book of hours

    about 1410–30, attributed to the Rohan Master or immediate circle. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 112 (2014.56), recto

    Manuscript illumination with red and blue paint and gold leaf embellishment depicting various figures inside a cathedral

  • Decorated Text Page from Rothschild Pentateuch

    1296, French or German. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Acquired with the generous support of Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Ms. 116 (2018.43), fol. 178v

    An illuminated manuscript with sparse Hebrew text in red, blue, and gold and in various sizes. Includes illustrations of large circles and towers and animals

  • Saint Luke from Irmengard Codex

    shortly after 1053, German. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 125 (2023.6), fol.3v

    Manuscript illumination of a haloed figure sitting at a stand with writing implements in hand.

  • Full goatskin parchment, stretched on a wooden frame

    1994, Henk de Groot

    White goatskin parchment stretched onto a pegged wooden frame with string.

Contact

Media Contact: Sidney Kantono

For press inquiries related to this exhibition, please email skantono@getty.edu

Exhibition Resources

  1. To request a checklist of this exhibition, please contact: manuscripts@getty.edu

    Exhibition checklist

  2. Making Manuscripts

    Video

    In this YouTube video, see why illuminated manuscripts were among the most precious objects produced in the Middle Ages

  3. The Making of a Medieval Manuscript Gallery Text (English)

    PDF

  4. Textos de sala de La creación de un libro medieval (español)

    PDF