Illuminating manuscript treasures

The Spanish forger - detail

Source: © Fitzwilliam museum, Cambridge

Rachel Brazil takes a look at the Fitzwilliam Museum’s illuminated manuscripts and learns their scientific stories

The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has one of the largest public collections, with examples spanning seven centuries. Its collection provides researchers with some of the best examples of medieval and renaissance painting and has helped to shed light on the materials and techniques used by European artists prior to printing becoming widespread in the 16th century.