Illuminated manuscripts have historically been created and used by which two religious faiths?

a. Hinduism and Catholicism

b. Hinduism and Buddhism

c. Christianity and Islam

d. Islam and Buddhism

Answer:

Depending on the religion, illuminated manuscripts have been written and utilised by both the Islamic and Christian religions.

Both these carefully ornamented leather-bound handwritten texts have held crucial positions in the two faiths and have acted as a means of transport for knowledge and religious teachings. Mainly found in Christianity, the art of producing illuminated manuscripts has been active for more than a thousand years and achieved most of its resonance between the 5th and 16th centuries. Christian illuminated manuscripts contained texts such as the Bible, psalters, and Books of Hours that were illuminated. Monasteries played a significant role as the place where they were created and special attention was paid to the production of each page, which took years; they also involved gilding, painting, and the use of calligraphy. One such example is the Famous book that commenced circulation in Christian societies from the 10th century onwards the books- Books of Hours.

Another type of illuminated manuscript which carries a significant meaning as well in Islamic culture is the early modern, medieval Islamic civilisation. The Arabic script had been very ductile allowing for the calligraphic decoration around the letter forms. The released Islamic manuscripts have geometric patterns, floral ideas, and textual designs, which meet the requirements that prohibit the use of human and animal forms. An object of aesthetic interest together with the Quran, was Islamic manuscript illumination, as the word of God with receptacles of artistic inspiration. As well as on the cover, the illuminations in Islamic manuscripts; were shiny materials such as gold, as well as silver and tin, on the binding, the paper or the parchment, and on cut edges.

These manuscripts were created by both traditions in two ways. Firstly, as scriptures with religious significance, but secondly, with arts to prove that religious belief can be artfully executed as pieces of art masterfully and aesthetically. Peculiarities of preparing and using illuminated manuscripts as well as their use in both Islamic and Christian cultures indicate the high appreciation of the written word and its graphical embellishment as an essential part of religious cults.