VISUAL LANGUAGE OF ILLUSTRATION IN CAROLINGIAN AND VISIGOTHIC EARLY MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS

Abstract

This study examines the representation of anthropomorphic figures in early medieval European manuscripts from the eighth to the tenth century, with particular emphasis on Merovingian, and Visigoth traditions. Illuminated manuscripts from this period provide valuable insight into the cultural, religious, and artistic developments of early medieval Europe. While existing scholarship has extensively addressed symbolism, paleography, and stylistic frameworks, this research proposes a focused art-historical analysis of the human figure as it appears in manuscript illustration, script, and the interaction between textual and visual elements. Through the analysis of artistic techniques, formal structures, proportions, and representations of dress, this study investigates how medieval artists constructed visual narratives that reflected cultural norms and artistic conventions. Furthermore, it explores the ways in which human figures were stylized to convey theological and spiritual meanings. By examining the relationship between artistic form and ideological content, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of anthropomorphic representation within early medieval manuscript culture and highlights the significance of visual expression in shaping religious and cultural identity.