I have been madly in love with the recent offerings of hedgehog marginalia from Medieval Animal Data Network. These adorable looking creatures, are often rendered in the rich golden and red hues of fall, and harvesting grapes (despoiling the vineyards) using their spines like cocktail toothpicks. But most wonderful of all…a group of artists got together and created an animated film of the hedgehog in action, based on the art and narrated in Latin. Totally awesome.
De Herinacio. On the Hedgehog from obrazki nunu on Vimeo.
Sources from Top to Bottom: Rochester Bestiary, England c. 1230; J. Paul Getty Trust, Unknown
English, about 1250 – 1260; Book of Hours of Charlotte of Savoy created in Paris, France, in the 15th century. New York, The Pierpont Morgan Library, Ms. M. 1004, fol. 82v; Bestiary- Therouanne, ca 1270; Latin bestiary Cambridge, 1320.
Wow–nice! Thanks for putting this out there. I am inspired
While I’m here, I have to thank you for (1) the cute hedgehogs of many tales and (2)
my utter crazy love for medieval illustrated books. For Christmas I always draw a
colorful card, copy it and send it out and most of them now, are an homage to magical creatures twining in twisty twirls. I also have characters that jump out in
joy, dancers, acrobats, fairies and angels. I honor my name, Holliday that way.
Tom: You are most welcome and I am delighted you are enjoying them. And I really like your illustrative work as well. What a great site.
Phyllis: Aren’t they wonderful and addicting? I have started embroidering them on various odd pieces of clothing because I just love them — as little character studies, as funny moments, and sometimes just wildly beautiful and strange.