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13th Annual Celebration for Undergraduate
Research and Creative Performance (2014)
Celebration for Undergraduate Research and
Creative Performance
4-11-2014
Shedding Light on Illuminated Manuscripts of the
Anglo-Saxon Age: An Investigation into the Life
and Illustrations of J.R.R. Tolkien
Stephanie Emanuele
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Recommended Citation
Repository citation: Emanuele, Stephanie, "Shedding Light on Illuminated Manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon Age: An Investigation
into the Life and Illustrations of J.R.R. Tolkien" (2014). 13th Annual Celebration for Undergraduate Research and Creative Performance
(2014). Paper 69.
http://digitalcommons.hope.edu/curcp_13/69
April 11, 2014. Copyright © 2014 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
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Shedding Light on Illuminated
Manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon Age:
An Investigation into the Life and Illustrations of J.R.R. Tolkien
By Stephanie Emanuele
Mellon Scholars Program
Mentor: Dr. Curtis Gruenler
English Department
The techniques Tolkien utilized when
drawing human-esque figures are similar
to some earlier manuscripts from the
Anglo-Saxon Age. Particularly, the shape
and design of the faces (eyes and chin
especially), and the bodies in both
Tolkien’s work and the manuscripts are
incredibly alike. Furthermore, the simpler
line designs reflect more basic
illuminations of the Medieval texts.
(See below)
For decades, the work of J.R.R. Tolkien has fueled investigations in Medieval studies due to his
incorporation of Anglo-Saxon themes in his writing. A fact unbeknownst to some readers is that
Tolkien was also an avid artist, and the illustrations that accompany many of his pieces are
evidence of how Medieval culture influenced his life. The scope of this research project includes
gaining a general understanding of the Middle Period, as well as a history of Anglo-Saxon
manuscripts and their illuminators. This paper will explore Tolkien’s inspirations as a writer and
artist, and conclude with a comparison of his illustrations to manuscript illuminations. After
dissecting these pieces, it is clear that Tolkien’s technique, context, style, and content were
influenced by the work of Medieval artists and writers.
Conversation with Smaug. Pencil, black ink, watercolor, colored ink.
The Trolls are Turned to Stone. Pencil, black ink.
When compared to two illuminations of dragon-like
creatures in illuminated texts, there are slight similarities
regarding the technique of the art (such as line thickness,
shape, etc). However, when looking at Tolkien’s portrayal of
dragons, his designs seem more akin to Asian culture than
they do to Medieval. As can be seen above, Tolkien’s
dragons hardly resemble the beasts found in illuminated
manuscripts. While it is impossible to know whether Tolkien
based his dragons off those frequently featured in Asian
culture, one conclusion can be made regarding his
illustrations: Glorund and Smaug are not distinctly Medieval.
Sources
Brown, Michelle. Manuscripts from the Anglo-Saxon Age. Toronto: University of Toronto, 2007. Print.
Camille, Michael. Image on the Edge: The Margins of Medieval Art. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1992. Print.
Hammond, Wayne G., and Christina Scull. J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995. Print.
Utrecht, Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit, Ms. 32, folio 8. Psalter.
Initial ‘S’ with Cain and Abel and eater. Josephus’
Antiquities, by the scribe Samuel.
St Luke, from an Irish pocket Gospelbook during the tenth century