In principio erat verbum, calligraphy by Graily Hewitt
Manuscript
1903 (made)
1903 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Hewitt was called to the bar in 1889, but turned to the study of manuscripts, becoming one of Edward Johnston's first pupils; succeeded Johnston at the Central School of Arts and Crafts and taught there for over 30 years. As early as 1904 he contemplated forming a scriptorium on medieval lines with assistants, and this was achieved after 1918 to produce memorial volumes. He was responsible for the memorial scrolls sent by King George V to next-of kin of the fallen.
This manuscript contains the opening verses of the Gospel according to St. John (I, 1-14) and was written in gold and silver on purple vellum, inspired by the Byzantine pratice of producing imperial commissions in this manner. The manuscript was made in 1903 for Sydney Cockerell, an important British collector with a keen interest in medieval and Renaissance manuscripts who became director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1908.
This manuscript contains the opening verses of the Gospel according to St. John (I, 1-14) and was written in gold and silver on purple vellum, inspired by the Byzantine pratice of producing imperial commissions in this manner. The manuscript was made in 1903 for Sydney Cockerell, an important British collector with a keen interest in medieval and Renaissance manuscripts who became director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1908.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | In principio erat verbum, calligraphy by Graily Hewitt |
| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Manuscript, In principio erat verbum, written by Graily Hewitt, London, 1903. |
| Physical description | Manuscript, 8 leaves (3 blank), written in gold on purple stained parchment, with initials in silver or platinum. Text from Gospel according to St. John, chapter I, verses 1-14. Title from first line. Binding: Limp vellum with beige and red tape ties. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Written by Graily Hewitt for Sydney C. Cockerell in Lincoln's Inn, December MCMIII (inscription on the inside of the front cover). Accessioned by the Museum in 1958. |
| Summary | Hewitt was called to the bar in 1889, but turned to the study of manuscripts, becoming one of Edward Johnston's first pupils; succeeded Johnston at the Central School of Arts and Crafts and taught there for over 30 years. As early as 1904 he contemplated forming a scriptorium on medieval lines with assistants, and this was achieved after 1918 to produce memorial volumes. He was responsible for the memorial scrolls sent by King George V to next-of kin of the fallen. This manuscript contains the opening verses of the Gospel according to St. John (I, 1-14) and was written in gold and silver on purple vellum, inspired by the Byzantine pratice of producing imperial commissions in this manner. The manuscript was made in 1903 for Sydney Cockerell, an important British collector with a keen interest in medieval and Renaissance manuscripts who became director of the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1908. |
| Bibliographic reference | The V&A Book of Colour in Design, ed. by T. Travis, London: Thames & Hudson, 2020.
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| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Library number | MSL/1958/324 |
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| Record created | April 4, 2019 |
| Record URL |
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