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Of Colophons and Cryptographs

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This essay considers the phenomenon of early medieval colophonic inscriptions that present visual puzzles. Instances of Latin written in alternative characters, or textual lines shaped into adventurous forms, prompt a re-negotiation of the relationship between a reader and a book. Such inscriptions keep a reader's consciousness of the book's facture at the fore, and speak to the role of manuscripts in forging communities across time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSense, Matter, and Medium
EditorsLynley Anne Herbert, Isabelle Lachat, Stephen M. Wagner
PublisherWalter de Gruyter GmbH
Pages15-36
Number of pages22
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Publication series

NameSense, Matter, and Medium
Volume10
ISSN (Print)2367-0290
ISSN (Electronic)2367-0304

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • History
  • Archaeology
  • Literature and Literary Theory
  • Visual Arts and Performing Arts
  • Cultural Studies

Keywords

  • colophon
  • cryptic writing
  • illumination
  • manuscript culture
  • scribal signature

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