The Reichenau Epistolary
Painting with gold and silver
Artists' Techniques
Gold and silver were used extensively in the decorated initials and for the script which creates a strong visual contrast with the purple background.
The silver has tarnished in most areas. Generally, it has darkened and bled through the parchment, leaving shadowy marks on the reverse of the pages (compare, for example, fols. 73r and 73v).