Illuminated initial from BL YT 29, f. 102v

Illuminated initial 'I'(n illo). Image taken from f. 102v of Book of Hours, Use of Rome (the 'Hours of Bonaparte Ghislieri', formerly known as 'The Albani Hours'). Written in Latin.

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.

bl yt manuscripts medieval calligraphy illuminated letters illuminated initials latin manuscript book of hours use of rome book of hours medieval manuscript illustrated books medieval miniatures use of rome british library

1300 - 1500

British Library

http://europeana.eu/

Public Domain