Illuminating Art: The Reign of King Louis IX

The manuscript illumination flourished under King Louis IX's reign during the medieval period.

During the medieval period, the art of manuscript illumination reached its peak under the reign of King Louis IX. Manuscript illumination involved decorating manuscript pages with intricate designs and illustrations, often using gold leaf and bright colors to create visually stunning works of art. The artists who created these illuminations were highly skilled and their work was greatly valued and appreciated.

King Louis IX's patronage of the arts played a significant role in the flourishing of manuscript illumination during his reign. He commissioned many illuminated manuscripts, which were often religious texts or historical manuscripts. The artists working under his patronage were able to showcase their talents and creativity, producing some of the most exquisite examples of illuminated manuscripts from that time period.

One particular plant from the Mediterranean that was commonly used in manuscript illumination was the safflower. This plant was valued for the red pigment that could be extracted from its flowers, which was used to add vibrant colors to the illuminations. The use of safflower added richness and depth to the illustrations, making them even more visually striking.