Building Books: The Evolution of Early English Block Prints

In this paper I explore the relationship between the art in early printed books and their spiritual significance. I take my examples from Art of the Good Lyvyng and Good Deyng translated by Thomas Lewing published in 1503 and The Festial of John Mirk published in 1528. These books contain examples of architectural elements used as frames for illustrations depicting scenes related to the devotional subjects discussed by both texts. The use of the architecture is imaginative in nature and can be characterized as micro-architecture as defined by François Bucher: “A definition of the ideal Gothic structure through the use of small monuments of architecture usually classified within the ‘minor arts’.” Architectural elements were used to indicate different periods of Christianity. This paper will argue that Gothic and Classicizing architectural styles were used to convey specific time periods and specific themes relating to the scene presented within the image.