Introduction

Introduction

Authentic, historical and handmade
From 2006 – 2010 in the very start the project went under the name Textura. The name Textura is a Latin word which means “weaved”, as well as being the first named font; the font we today know as “Gothic writing”.

Textura (Gothic writing) originates from the second half of the 12th century. Gutenberg imitated and used this originally handwritten font in the first printed books. In 2010 the Textura project was offered to ‘inherit’ the domain name Scriptorium.dk from a medieval writings colleague. I took this great offer and chose to rename the project to Scriptorium.dk

Scriptorium.dk is a small artist firm that recreates and reproduces historic, illustrated handicraft. Most of the products are made by the owner and graphic designer Søren Bie, from his idea that historical illustrations don’t just have to be enjoyed and experienced in books, in museums and through digital media, but also as copy-art which can bring joy and be owned by many.

Most of the pieces are made in my own studio and are made from handmade high quality materials. Every piece is either unique or made in very small numbers. Every artwork is carefully chosen and is an authentic, historical and handmade copy. As far as I know, there are no others that work with this and nowhere else can you achieve these artworks in such a high unique quality.

The idea behind

Recreated after the original historical works
Today, it’s hard to even come near an original book from the Middle Ages. They are priceless and very rare and are usually only kept in Universities, in State Libraries or with private collectors. These early illustrative masterpieces can, on account of their fragile nature, understandably only be experienced by a select few people.

For the largest part, only historians and students have access to these. If you are neither and you want to experience the original medieval scriptures today, you have to go to an exhibit, through a digital media or via a modern reproduction.

Try to imagine having one of these exquisite artworks hanging on your wall with a page from a book that looks like it is from the 13th or 14th century? This is actually possible today. Except it’s not an original, 700-year-old page or illustration, but an almost exact, handcrafted copy. It is hand-painted, “real” copy-art, carefully recreated after the original historical works.

This is what the view looks like when I paint. In this case, I'm working on Gothic style. Note my little medieval writing knife.

For a period I was associated as volunteers participating in the daily work in The Medieval Center, located in Nykøbing Falster Denmark. All the people involved "live in the medieval period" when the audience visited the center. When they were gone I spent the rest of the long summer days painting. In the little white house where I lived, a large part of the Jeanne d'Arc series became. Probably the most perfect place and original setting I have painted to date.

My old studio. This is where the Scriptorium project started in 2006. It seems like I'm putting the finishing touches on the first Jeanne d'Arc series. On one computer screens I am researching the next motif series.

My old study approx. 2007. On the table is a simple setup where the Codex Manesse series is being painted. It ended up being 32 different motifs from this amazing manuscript.

On a beautiful summer day in 2008, the motif I work with Christine de Pizan (Cent Ballades) is approx. 1410. A total of three of this beautiful motif were reconstructed.

In 2017 - 18, I had focus on medieval Gothic typography. I painted a total of 30 different historical styles. I hope to work on this topic a lot more in the future.

I only allow myself to take a few vacations. Here is a photo from a rented house on Gran Canaria. The house was so high and fantastically located that it was at the height of the clouds. Here I painted intensely for a few weeks with this enchanting view, on the second and rather complex Jeanne d'Arc series.

Here I am visiting my colleagues' workshop at the Medieval Center located on Lolland / Denmark. They also work and perform medieval paper and writing art, and at a very high historical accuracy level.

Also paints with gold. I have chosen not to use gold leaf as it is too cumbersome to work with and requires it to be completely windless. Here is a motif where Jeanne d'Arc is chasing prostitutes away from the soldiers tenant.

My setup a wonderful summer morning. Hot coffee and a few croissants within reach. Is in the process of painting on the Jeanne d'Arc series.