Beato de Gerona Fº 131v 975

This illustration was made by the artist Ende in the 10th century, using tempera and ink on parchment. Looking closely, you can see how the artist renders figures in bright, flat colors with strong outlines. Pigments ground from minerals and plants would have been mixed with egg yolk to create tempera paint. This would have allowed Ende to build up layers of color and add fine details with a brush made from animal hair. The parchment itself is made from animal skin, carefully prepared to create a smooth surface for painting. The process of creating the manuscript would have been collaborative. Scribes, illuminators, and bookbinders, each with their own specialized skills, would have worked together to produce this luxurious object. Ende’s manuscript reminds us that the creation of even seemingly simple images is a complex, material process with social and cultural significance.