Getty Exhibitions: Illuminating the Renaissance This Getty Museum exhibit focuses on the Flemish school of "illumination," which "lights up" a painting or manuscript with wonderfully radiant colors. Flourishing from 1470-1560 and funded by the deep pockets of the elite, these masterful works were more than flowery book drawings. They documented the decadent lifestyle and glamour of European courts which included tales of excesses, romance, politics, and of course, religious piety. Today's computer-graphics wizards could learn a thing or two from the hand-drawn pages in these exquisite illuminated manuscripts. Sadly, the invention of the printing press made these extravagant hand-made books obsolete. Here you'll find a snapshot of the glorious days of old. (in Art History)
