Curious devices, forbidden artifacts, mysterious creatures, and intriguing documents.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Curious Case of the Manufactured Manuscripts
An interesting look at the history of created books. The author has an intriguing theory that the Voynich Manuscript may be a historical example of the kind of prop tomes frequently discussed here.
It's an intriguing idea, especially as the Voynich has such large images. I'd imagine that when it was made, they were fairly bright as well. So large, vivid images would be easily seen by the audience.
The thing that I find really interesting about the V. manuscript is that people are fascinated with it primarily because it's a mystery. If anyone ever does manage to decipher it (or, in the case of this theory, prove that it can't be deciphered) it'll become just another old codex in a university library that nobody cares about.
I think there may be even a simpler explanation: I bet it's a 'portfolio piece'. It's probably something someone worked on to demonstrate their illustrative/illumination abilities.
4 comments:
It's an intriguing idea, especially as the Voynich has such large images. I'd imagine that when it was made, they were fairly bright as well. So large, vivid images would be easily seen by the audience.
Interesting. Though I'd still like to think it's really a genuine magic tome that will one day be deciphered. :)
The thing that I find really interesting about the V. manuscript is that people are fascinated with it primarily because it's a mystery. If anyone ever does manage to decipher it (or, in the case of this theory, prove that it can't be deciphered) it'll become just another old codex in a university library that nobody cares about.
I think there may be even a simpler explanation: I bet it's a 'portfolio piece'. It's probably something someone worked on to demonstrate their illustrative/illumination abilities.
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