Society and Book Culture: The exhibition "Art of book decoration" in Veliky Novgorod

In the Likhudov Corps of the Novgorod Kremlin till March 31, 2017 was opened the exhibition "The Art of decorating book". The exhibition features more than 60 objects from the collection of the Novgorod Museum Reserve. This birch bark; book monuments related to the history books development; illuminated manuscripts, as well as manuscripts and early printed editions with Teratological, Balkan, neo-Byzantine, early printed ornament, headpieces and initials; books bindings and the salaries of the museum's collection. For the first time at an exhibition in a separate showcase is on display richly illustrated of the end of the XIX century the Apocalypse. Visitors can see 10 thumbnails of the monument.

The exhibition is held within the preparation for the exhibition "Museum of Literature" in the Kremlin Likhudov Corps. The exhibition of the Old Russian book is presented as a single entity, in which the text, title, initials, screensavers, miniatures and other ornamental decor make meaningful, artistic and functional unity. The exhibits tell about the design and the process of creating the book Code, Novgorod scribes and scriptoria, materials and articles for the letter.   

The collection of the Novgorod Museum Reserve is richly decorated with manuscripts, decorated with different artistic styles. Some books of XV - XVI centuries are decorated with headpieces in Balkan style. In the neo-Byzantine style it is decorated the Gospel from 1596 of Old Russian Transfiguration Monastery. An example of design in the style of early printed is Synodicon Iver Monastery. Teratological style is typical not only for manuscripts of XIII - XIV centuries, but is often found in the arts and crafts and wood carving Novgorod. In the Old Russian literature is emphasized the depth of the text book design - illustrations, miniatures and ornaments, which have not only artistic, but also symbolic content. Handwritten book with illustrations is called "facial". Novgorod miniature book has been closely associated with a monumental fresco painting, with iconography.