Illuminated letters sent a visual message that communicated the content of the text. Which portion of the fifteenth-century population benefitted most from illuminated letters?

Question

1. the wealthy
2. the monks
3. the scholars
4. the illiterate

Answer 1

The portion of the fifteenth-century population that benefitted most from illuminated letters would be 1. the wealthy. Illuminated manuscripts were often expensive to produce, as they required skilled artisans to create the intricate designs and illustrations. As a result, they were primarily commissioned by wealthy patrons who could afford them, and these individuals valued the beauty and status associated with such luxurious items. While monks and scholars also engaged with illuminated texts, the accessibility and benefit of illuminated letters were primarily concentrated among the affluent.