Dialogue by Mark:

Hey, our trip to the Masters' Gallery today features lettering too, so take a trip back in time with me..back....back 500 years to 1500. Our very own Kim, the Queen of art history at KidsArt, introduces us to the royal court of Queen Isabella of Spain.

This work of art shows two pages from a book called "Las Hours de Isabel..." or in english, "The Hours of Isabel." A book of hours was the name for a prayer book in the middle ages. This book would have been used by the Queen when she went to church or sat quietly in her room. She could read the manuscript, a prayer written in Latin. Or perhaps she would look at the picture showing the Christmas story and make up her own prayer.

This book was made completely by hand, back in the years before the printing press was invented. Every page is a work of art. The illustrations were painted with tiny paintbrushes. Sometimes artists would use magnifying glasses to add the details. And all the lettering was done by hand, with brushes and pens dipped in ink.

A whole team of artists would work on one book. The painters who created this book were fameous for the rich decorations in the borders of the pages. Check out the different kinds of flowers that surround the lettering. Can you find the butteflies?