Collections and Critiques

Now on view at the Germanic Museum is an unusual exhibit illustrating the progress of manuscript illumination in Germany from the 8th to the 16th century. The exhibit, which will continue until March 26, is the more interesting because, due to a much straitened budget, the Museum could not afford to borrow originals, but has instead secured the most authentic reproductions available.

Commenting on this display, C. L. Kuhn, curator of the Museum, stated that in Germany the art of reproducing old works has reached a high degree of perfection. "The only real obstacle the Germans have met in their work is the copying of manuscripts illuminated with gold paint. The Medieval artists used gold leaf burnished by hand, but no modern reproducer has been able to obtain the same effect, although many different methods have been tried. In all other respects I think these are very accurate reproductions."

In particular, Dr. Kuhn pointed to one volume, in the first exhibition case, which was a well-nigh perfect imitation not only of the manuscript writing and illumination but also of the binding. It would be impossible for the casual observer to distinguish it from the genuine article: the binding was of old, dried leather, the clasp of tarnished brass, and the pages of real-looking vellum.

"For some reason this subject of manuscript illumination is little known in America, "Dr. Kuhn continued. "Personally, I think it is the best means of expression of the German temperament which remains to us today. By studying these illuminated manuscripts it is possible to trace the history of the German people throughout the Middle Ages. During the 10th and 11th centuries no work comparable to the German can be found in either France or Italy.