‘More True and Better’
Chapter 9 moves from the physical dismemberment of manuscripts to the imagistic fragmentation of the digital display of books folio by folio. The chapter calls for a more coherent effort to provide interpretative frameworks and explanatory material for the tens of thousands of manuscripts now digitized in online repositories, or statically displayed in cases. Noting how much reparative work can be completed through the digital realm, this investigation also shows how easy it is to dupe the onlooker through the splicing of images that are not contiguous, or the presentation of over-specialized information. While fully cognizant of the potential of the digital aspect, this chapter offers an urgent call for responsible and thoughtful frameworks of interpretation that emphasize the materiality of the manuscripts, and provide some elements of training to enhance the legibility of the images.