“Colour and Pigments in Manuscript Illumination”
Parker Library, 9 June 1995

An extension of the Series of Research Group Seminars and Workshops on “The Evidence of Manuscripts”
The Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge

This Workshop followed the Seminars and Workshops held by the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence while resident at the Parker Library of Corpus Christi College until 30 September 1994.  After the Research Group’s move of its principal base to the United States in October 1994, this next workshop formed an amiable conclusion to the series.

The previous Seminar held at the Parker Library considered

“Canterbury Manuscripts”
Parker Library, 19 September 1994

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View Toward the Chapel, Upon Entering Corpus Christi College, in mid-September 1994 photography © Mildred Budny

The Plan

Dated 11 April 1995, composed by Nigel Wilkins, Librarian, and circulated with the signature of “G. Cannell”, plus her handwritten letters “pp” opposite his typed name, the 2-page Invitation Letter on Parker Library Letterhead describes the aim.  We quote in parts.

The Parker Library, together with the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence, plans to hold its next workshop on Friday June 9th 1995.  The Theme is Colour and Pigments in Manuscript Illumination.  An accompanying small exhibition is to be mounted on the same theme by Nicholas Hadgraft and Cheryl Porter.

A description of logistics precedes the list of speakers and subjects.

We plan to start at 11 a.m., break for lunch in the College Hall (self-service) from 1 p.m to 2 p.m, and carry on as long as it takes, finishing with tea by 1 p.m.

Old Court at Corpus Christi College, Summer 1994. Photograph © Mildred Budny.

The Speakers

The Letter lists the proposed line-up.

Cheryl Porter (London):  Pigments:  a general introduction.

John Gage (Cambridge):  Colour words and colour patches.

Andreas Petzold (V & A):  The use of colour in the Bury Bible.

Nigel Wilkins and Catherine Hall (Cambridge):  Concerning colour, in C.C.C.C. MSS 297, 410, 301.

Mildred Budny:  The colour purple in Anglo-Saxon manuscripts.

Cheryl Porter:  Tyrian purple and the technique of its application to manuscripts.

The Wish and the Long-Term Plan

The Letter concludes:

Future workshop themes include Musical Iconography; Images of Books; Matthew Paris; the Scotichronicon.  We would be very glad if you would send us your own suggestions.

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The full Series of Seminars and other scholarly events devoted to examining “The Evidence of Manuscripts” is reported here.

After the conclusion of the events held in-house during the tenure of the Research Group at the Parker Library (with the Seminar on “Canterbury Manuscripts” in September 1994) and the move perforce to the United States, there soon began the “Next Series” of Events, starting with the Annual Symposia in “The Transmission of the Bible”, already with a session in March 1995.  That series, and the “New Series” which followed it, are reported here.

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