The Scriptorium is an antidote to the dizzying pace of modern life, a way to quieten down, to concentrate, to pray, to seek infinity in every verse copied: in its content and its ornamented form. We will delve into the techniques of calligraphy, illumination and gilding used hundreds of years ago and try to combine them with the present, preserving the atmosphere of those times.
The workshop is an attempt to bring a medieval scriptorium back to life, together with its philosophy, working methods, style of script and ornament, and finally the ultimate purpose of its existence: the creation of a manuscript – an Evangeliary in the 13th-century style.
Basic information:
- Why is it worth it? Because you can learn calligraphy in the medieval style, also as a way of praying.
- What is the Scriptorium? The Scriptorium is a study that combines practice, theory and spirituality, history and the present.
- Where? In Kraków (at the Dominican friary)
- When? On the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month (except December and March – then only on the 2nd Saturday), from 9:00 to 17:00. Classes will start in October and last until April.
- How much does it cost? PLN 550 for 10 meetings.
- Who leads the meetings? Daniel Dawidowicz and Grażyna Witkowska-Dawidowicz.
What we will talk about at the meetings:
- how documents and manuscripts were made
- who made them and for what purpose
- what specializations there were in medieval scriptoria
- how miniatures were designed and made
- what tools were used and where they can be obtained today
What we will teach:
- several styles of medieval calligraphy
- designing and making initials
- designing and making miniatures in the 13th-century style
- gilding ornaments on documents
What participants will make:
- a large number of calligraphy exercises
- self-designed 13th-century ornaments and initials, which they will combine into pages in the medieval style
- participants will gild their own work by hand
- participants will learn to design and make medieval miniatures and discover all their secrets
- we will begin work on an Evangeliary for the Dominicans. Every workshop participant will have their own part in it, which they will make themselves; it will combine ornament, gilding, calligraphy and miniatures; when the work is finished, the Evangeliary will be bound and used during services.
Tutors: Daniel Dawidowicz and Grażyna Witkowska-Dawidowicz
The workshop will be led by Daniel Dawidowicz and Grażyna Witkowska-Dawidowicz. For years they have been promoting the history and culture of medieval Europe by taking part in projects and shows re-enacting various historical events.
They copy and reconstruct medieval pages from the most famous manuscripts; their work includes pages from the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Book of Durrow and the Book of Dimma, as well as countless motifs from many other better and lesser known manuscripts. Their works can be found, among other places, in the convent in Trzebnica, in Japan, on Crete and in Great Britain.