Houghton-Medieval Studies Workshop in Early Book History

Date: 

Thursday, February 28, 2019, 10:00am to 12:00pm

Location: 

Houghton Library Seminar Room

Dr. Simon Rettig (Assistant Curator of Islamic Art, Freer | Sackler Galleries), An Introduction to Codicology and the Arts of the Book of the Islamic World. This event is co-sponsored by the Committee on Medieval Studies and the Houghton Library. Space in the workshops is limited; to reserve a space, please click here.

This workshop provides an opportunity to examine a selection of Islamic manuscripts in the collections of the Houghton Library. It introduces the general components of works made in an area stretching from the Mediterranean to India, as well as the materials used to produce them. Emphasis will be put on the analysis of visuals elements (layout, script, and painting) which testify to the different contexts of creation with geographical, historical, and linguistic particularities. Participants will not only learn to recognize the manuscripts’ original characteristics, but also identify traces which help to understand their later history and usage, such as signs of refurbishments and marks of ownership.