We invite you to an illumination painting workshop 04.02.2026
We invite you to a two-day illumination painting workshop, dedicated to one of the most beautiful techniques for decorating historical manuscripts.
Decorating manuscripts using the art of illumination was particularly popular in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Floral motifs on borders, intricately decorated initials, and rich symbolism turned books into true works of art. During the workshops, participants will become familiar with the historical technique of illuminative painting and will create their own decorative elements inspired by authentic 15th-century manuscripts.
Workshop programme:
A brief introduction to illumination as a historical painting technique.
Presentation of examples of its use in historical illuminated works.
Practical painting session – participants will create their own interpretations of a selected initial based on 15th-century patterns taken from the manuscript Astronomia (1478) by Christianus Prolianus, illuminated by Joachinus de Gigantibus, from the collection of The University of Manchester Library.
Group presentation of the completed works.
Workshop summary.
The manuscript Astronomia discusses the structure of the solar system and eclipses. Its rich illuminations include diagrams and decorative borders featuring motifs of birds, animals, and plants.
The workshops will be led by Joanna Rościszewska, a graduate of the Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. She has carried out conservation projects at, among others, Wawel Royal Castle, the Collegiate Church in Wiślica, and the Carmelite Monastery “Na Piasku” in Kraków. From 2002 to 2009 she worked with the Conservation Studio of the Jagiellonian Library. Since 2009 she has specialized in miniature painting and illumination. She is the author and co-organizer of numerous exhibitions and courses devoted to this technique, including the series Journey to the East, as well as individual and group exhibitions presenting contemporary interpretations of the art of the old masters.
The workshops will take place on 4–5 February (Wednesday–Thursday), 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration via the form: https://forms.gle/UiApKu6wZJyzGYhx9
The number of places is limited.
The event is part of the project “Stories 360°. 30 Years of the Opening of the Villa Decius”, implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Culture (KPO for Culture).
Workshop programme:
A brief introduction to illumination as a historical painting technique.
Presentation of examples of its use in historical illuminated works.
Practical painting session – participants will create their own interpretations of a selected initial based on 15th-century patterns taken from the manuscript Astronomia (1478) by Christianus Prolianus, illuminated by Joachinus de Gigantibus, from the collection of The University of Manchester Library.
Group presentation of the completed works.
Workshop summary.
The manuscript Astronomia discusses the structure of the solar system and eclipses. Its rich illuminations include diagrams and decorative borders featuring motifs of birds, animals, and plants.
The workshops will be led by Joanna Rościszewska, a graduate of the Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków. She has carried out conservation projects at, among others, Wawel Royal Castle, the Collegiate Church in Wiślica, and the Carmelite Monastery “Na Piasku” in Kraków. From 2002 to 2009 she worked with the Conservation Studio of the Jagiellonian Library. Since 2009 she has specialized in miniature painting and illumination. She is the author and co-organizer of numerous exhibitions and courses devoted to this technique, including the series Journey to the East, as well as individual and group exhibitions presenting contemporary interpretations of the art of the old masters.
The workshops will take place on 4–5 February (Wednesday–Thursday), 4:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration via the form: https://forms.gle/UiApKu6wZJyzGYhx9
The number of places is limited.
The event is part of the project “Stories 360°. 30 Years of the Opening of the Villa Decius”, implemented under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan for Culture (KPO for Culture).