Manicules
Current
Various gouache on goatskin vellum paintings in oak artist’s frames, in preparation for MFA Thesis show Holding Still, Holding On at the Andy Warhol Museum in March 2025.
I have been structuring my recent work around the idea of a ‘manicule’ - the medieval and early modern book annotation, indicating importance, alarm, or agreement. The manicule usually was represented by the addition of a pointing hand drawn by the reader. I have worked from several 14th and 15th century manuscripts, attempting to gesture-by-quoting.
(Individual information in captions)
“Tiger deceived by its own image in glass ball. Huntsman who has thrown ball carries off tiger cub.” (ca. 1325) and “Birth of Esau and Jacob. Rebecca resting, the two midwives holding a swaddled baby each. Gen 25.20-26.” (ca. 1300)“Cleopatra Presented with the Head and Limbs of her Own Child” (ca. 1413) and “Jupiter in the house of Lycaon, being offered human flesh” (ca. 1531)“Athalia, Queen of Judah, Dragged from the Temple” (ca. 1413)“The suicide of Lucretia” (ca. 1413)Colophon“Samson and the Lion” (ca. 1413)Detail of leather wrapped mount and picture cord artist’s frame for “Suicide of Lucretia”Detail view of gouache on goatskin vellum from “Samson and the Lion”Side view of inlaid picture cord in frame for “Samson and the Lion”