Before the printing press, every book was made by hand—often on parchment crafted from animal skin. In this richly illustrated talk with art historian Brenda Edgar, we’ll explore medieval illuminated manuscripts as both sacred texts and physical objects, tracing how quirks of flesh, hair, and even belly buttons shaped the page itself. From shimmering decoration to theological meaning, join us for a journey into the luminous, otherworldly beauty of the handmade book.