Her Majesty The Queen Opens Major Exhibition
On 10 November Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened the Library’s major exhibition Royal Manuscripts: the Genius of Illumination.
Donor Mark Pigott OBE with Her Majesty The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, British Library Chairman Baroness Blackstone and Chief Executive Dame Lynne Brindley
Patrons enjoyed a special evening reception and private view of the exhibition which includes 154 exquisite handwritten books, dating between the 9th and 16th centuries previously belonging to the kings and queens of England.
British Library curator Kathleen Doyle said: "So little of paintings, clothing or interiors survive from this era, yet here we have thousands of manuscripts that were the most personal royal artefacts of their day.
Their vibrancy still gives them that artistic wow factor and because they were used to guide the monarchs' characters and reigns, they give us an extraordinary window into their personal lives and are an essential source to understanding royal identity."
“What a magical evening! We enjoyed every minute of it,” said Patron Chantry Westwell.
The exhibition has been generously supported by the Pigott Family.
Photo above by Clare Kendall.
Book tickets and learn more about the exhibition here.
Click here to learn more about becoming a Patron.
I cannot remember a time when books were not central to my life. The BL is guardian of a priceless common heritage which can enrich the lives of future generations, as it has done for us. Cherish the verbal record in good times and bad!
Michael Coates-Smith
My mother- in -law was a very talented artist and book binder. She rebound many books, and supporting the conservation of beautiful books is a very fitting way to celebrate her life
Stephen Niechcial