In the second half of the 15th, and in the beginning of the 16th centuries the illumination of books flourished in Croatia. The most beautifully illuminated books date from the very end of the 15th century when the printing business had gained ground throughout Europe. Manuscript books were ordered by high prelates, bishops, and monks. The illuminators of Latin books were mostly foreigners, while the illuminators of Glagolitic manuscripts were native Glagolites. Printed books imitated the page organization of the manuscripts. The text was printed in two columns, and the letters had the form of italic gothic minuscule. The space for the illumination was left empty. There the illuminators drew illuminations by hand, mostly initials, and rarely figural decorations. It is not until the very end of the 15th century that the printers have begun to print illuminations (initials figural decorations). They borrowed the content from manuscript illuminations after simplifying it. The press introduced another innovation: a separate cover page which was also specially illuminated. -- AATA