The famous dance book is considered one of the highlights of Habsburg-Burgundian culture because of its content and design. The manuscript is, after all, an important source for the music and choreography of the 'basse danse',
a primary type of courtly dance from the period around 1500. It is mainly the exceptional black parchment on which the text and notes were written in beautiful gold and silver ink noted that make the booklet
an exceptional piece of heritage.
a primary type of courtly dance from the period around 1500. It is mainly the exceptional black parchment on which the text and notes were written in beautiful gold and silver ink noted that make the booklet
an exceptional piece of heritage.
For the facsimile of the book I was tasked to reconstruct the calligraphy and ornaments. I devised an intricate technique to separate the gold and silver tones on the black parchment. After the separation I carefully hand painted the lost details back in whilst preserving the authentic impression of the aged parchment.
