The word "illumination" comes from the Latin illuminare which means "to bring to light, to illuminate, to make luminous".

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Gold seems to respond perfectly to this desire to "bring to light" to the point of becoming the very symbol of light. Its particular brilliance, its shimmering coat of sunlight, a mixture of red, orange and yellow, has fascinated people since the dawn of time and makes it the most precious and perfect of metals.

 

Gilding with leaf is a demanding technique, the "trick of the hand" being essential and can only be acquired with long practice ; but the result is dazzling, a true source of wonder for the illuminator and the spectator.