Contribution to the Study of the Illuminations of Frontispieces of the Books of Revenue and Expenditure of Misericórdia do Funchal (17th and 18th Centuries)

Abstract

There are no drawings, sketches or architectural plans made by ,adeiran painters and
sculptors, from the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th centuries, according to what we know so far. In consequence, the illuminated front pages of the account books belonging to the Misericórdia do Funchal are rare graphic documents, and their analysis can provide some knowledge about local artists’ drawings.
The naïve solutions of these miniatures demonstrate graphic and pictorial weaknesses and testify the lack of experience of their authors and how far they were from a solid academic apprenticeship. Sometimes they are mere copies of European engravings, specially italo-flemish, common in artists’ studios, or owned by the art patrons. There are no signatures, but stylistic affinities, as well as aesthetic and formal characteristics, allow to set groups, revealing relationships between the person who ordered the miniature (the provider or the scribe) and the illuminator.

Keywords

Illumination; Drawing; Engraving; Print Painting; Brotherhood of Misericórdia
do Funchal.