The play of the medieval infinite scroll evoked divine presence. Might it do so again?
Human beings had lived with, and loved, the infinite scroll long before the electronic version was rolled out a couple of decades back. The earlier type took the form of illuminated manuscripts and Books of Hours.
These colourful parchments captivated the eyes of our forebears in a dance amongst seemingly disjointed images that ranged over the sacred and the profane, the fantastical and the mundane.
Gospel texts shared the space with griffins and hobgobbins. There: a giant rabbit attacks a group of hunters. Now: a snail takes on a knight. Or again, with a glance sideways, a fox preaches to chickens, as monkeys play their harps. Turning the page once more, foliage, fruit and flowers spring into view, rooting amongst starry constellations and planets. Turn again and elaborate knotwork morphs into herds of twisty beasts.
New essay at my Substack, A Golden String. Continue to read…