Mary Breeden, illuminator, calligrapher and artist
Before the invention of the printing press, books were printed by hand. Medieval monks devoted years to transcribing religious texts and ornamenting them with illustrations and elaborate decorative motifs.
As a child, Mary Breeden was fascinated by the mental image of those monks and by the results of their work - the beautiful illuminated manuscripts that are revered today not only as rare relics of centuries long gone but as stunning works of art. So she took up medieval-style calligraphy as an outlet for her love of drawing and as an expression of her own deep-seated faith.
Mary found particular inspiration in the Book of Kells, an illuminated transcription of the four New Testament gospels completed in the 8th century by monks on the island of Iona. Nearly lost - it was found buried in a bog, minus its jewel-encrusted cover, in 1006 - it is today one of the world's most famous books. Its 680 pages contain numerous full-page illustrations, including one of the oldest surviving representations of the Madonna and Child, and elaborate patterned borders. The influence of its lettering and illustration styles can be seen in all of Mary Breeden's work.