It feels like it’s been a while since I did a scroll inspired by the Vespasian Psalter. Unfortunately, when I started working on the assignment, the link I normally use for the online version, hosted by the British Museum, was down due to a cyber attack. Aislinn was able to track down a decent reference link. (https://forthewynnblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/28/the-vespasian-psalter/)
A big shout out to Aislinn, for the 3 day turn around on the words. That took a huge load off after working towards my step down, three weeks before this scroll was supposed to go out.
Words:
Monarchs: Matthew! Fiamuin!
Neath the aloof autumn sun
Ready to represent
One assembled and augment
Muireadhach Ó Cuileannáin
Gentle of today’s gesture
Represents robust vigour
Within Our Rusted Woodlands
Who at Hundred Minutes stands.
Before his role as leader
His time was as a teacher
Of Manipulating metal
To mentor is his mettle
Before he gave to govern
Ways of warfare, he did learn
Inner strength and fortitude
Found on the fields; skills accrued
To receive recognition
For fire, his foundation
Done with to do, We so deal
Muireadhach’s well earned Silver wheel
Anno Societatis LIX
Now, one of the choices I elected to make was to NOT put the gold over the spirals in of the letter. As the individuals persona was earlier period, I would go with the feel of the original version over what we have available us today.
Now, the dots. The little blue dots in the bottom right area of the page. While working with the blue ink, I’d capped the bottle in the middle of the session. While uncapping the bottle, heat from my hand caused just enough pressure to build up that bubbles formed and popped as I removed the cap, sending little blue droplets towards the scroll. If it was paint or gouache I would have lifted and scraped if necessary. Ink though, and that many, I elected to leave them. As I finished the scroll and removed the pencil lines, I found I actually liked having them there. Somewhat giving the scroll a slightly more period feel, as accidents happened and materials were often expensive, also not easily replaced.
