The book is written on vellum prepared calfskin in a bold and expert version of the script known as insular majuscule. Celtic tattoos from the book of kells the book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin. A folio is single leaf whose front is called the recto and whose back is called the verso. Xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably from iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. The book of kells less widely known as the book of columba is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by celtic monks around ad 800. Posted by christian clay columba campbell 30 september 2012 30 september 2012 posted in general tags. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio. This intricate design recalls early medieval metalwork. Saint matthew, folio 25 verso of the lindisfarne gospels, from northumbria, england, ca.
The book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. The page precedes the nativity story as related by st matthew. Figure 1629 otto iii enthroned, folio 24 recto of the gospel book of otto iii, from reichenau, germany, 997. Facing this miniature, on folio 33r, is the only carpet page in the book of kells, which is rather anomalous. Art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells c. Search the libraries digital collections images, media, maps, and more. The book of kells exhibition what is the book of kells. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four christian gospels.
Early medieval europe franklin township public schools. Colour pigments used in the monogram page and other folios in the book of kells, include yellow and red ochre, indigo, green copper, and the extremely rare lapis. Heres a closeup of the socalled chirho page from the book of kells. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. The whole of the book of kells has been digitised by trinity college dublin, where the. Christs monogram page, book of kells 800 art encyclopedia. The letters chi, rho and i are an abbreviation of christ. A book containing passages from the gospels, arranged in the sequence that they are to be read during the celebration of religious services, including the mass, throughout the year. Chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells probably iona, scotland late eighth or early ninth century tempera on vellum in this opening page to the gospel of saint matthew, the painter transformed the biblical text into abstract pattern. As a startingpoint, go to their website and scroll down to find folio 34r. Equestrian portrait of charlemagne or charles the bald, from metz, france, ninth century. The book of kells remained here until 1007, when it was stolen.
Book of kells digital collections tcd trinity college dublin. Opening of st matthews nativity account, matthew 1. The book of kells contains the four gospels of matthew, mark, luke, and john, in latin, as well as lists of hebrew names, and the eusebian canons. It is one of the more lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive from the middle ages and has been described as the zenith of western calligraphy and illumination. Chapter 16 gardners art through the ages 12th edition.
You can see a highres copy of the book of matthew, for example, with folio 34 here. Detail from the chirho page folio 34 recto of the book of kells. The book of kells, tcd ms 58, folio 34r detail trinity college dublin the design also conceals three angels, while the curving upper terminal of the rho ends in a human head with tousled yellow hair. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. Swiss film london and a great selection of related books, art. Iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. Ive had a lifelong fascination with insular manuscripts. The book of kells is available online as a digital copy through the trinity college library in dublin which has the book in its permanent collection. The blank verso of folio 33 faces the single most lavish miniature of the early medieval period, the book of kells chi rho monogram, which serves as. The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. In this opening page to the gospel of saint matthew, the painter transformed the biblical text into abstract pattern, literally making gods words beautiful.
Todays blog post is an excerpt from one of the journals i kept when i was traveling in europe. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. Although i really like that gardners touches on historical context by explaining that this particular passage would. The medieval artist did not go to nature for models but to a prototype another image, a statue, or a picture in a book. The book of kells is a famous 8th century insular gospel book, now in the trinity college library in dublin. The library also has provided an introductory page to the book of kells. The book of kells is an ornately illustrated 9th century gospel book. Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers.
The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. Early medieval art slide list long beach city college. Jun 01, 2017 the chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. It was created in a columban monastery in ireland or may have had contributions from various columban institutions from both britain and ireland. Or it may have been started in iona and finished at kells, or whatever. It is written on vellum and its illuminations are thought to be the result of up to three different artists. Reproductions from the manuscript in trinity college dublin 19741028. Chirhoiota page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably. Almost all folios are numbered at recto, bottom left.
Figure 1 otto iii enthroned, folio 24 recto of the gospel book of otto iii, from reichenau, germany, 997. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the. See more ideas about book of kells, celtic art and medieval art. This image opens the account of the nativity of jesus in the gospel of saint matthew. The book of kells and the insular majuscule scripts. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. Jun 22, 2011 one such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells c.
The book of kells, irelands greatest national art treasure, is an. Our experience of contemplating this page can be compared to the monastic experience of contemplating on the nature of christ. A detail from the famous chi rho page of the book of kells folio 34 recto the book of kells is actually four books one for each gospel, and two are on display at any given time, one turned to an illuminated page, the other to a page of text. Ink and tempera on vellum a number of medieval illuminated manuscript gospel books are called the coronation gospels, meaning they have, at least by tradition, had a coronation oath sworn upon them at some point. Art, book of kells, calligraphy, gaelic material culture, hibernosaxon style, illuminated manuscripts. Facing this miniature, on folio 33 recto, is the only carpet page in the kells. This text captures how the book of kells and this page would be experienced by a monk using this book in the liturgy. Saint matthew, folio 15 recto of the coronation gospels gospel book of charlemagne, from aachen, germany, ca. The chi rho page, the book of kells, tcd ms 58, folio 34r. Review of key works of early medieval art in europe soissons cernunnos.
Chirhoiota page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells. Sep 30, 2012 folio 34 recto from the book of kells. Jul 23, 20 chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably from iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. Chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably from iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. Study 29 chapter 16 gardners art through the ages 12th edition flashcards on studyblue. The single carpet page in kells is a bit anomalous. If you would like to know more about the symbolism behind this, read michelle browns paper on bearded sages and beautiful boys. Reproductions from the manuscript in trinity college dublin 19741028 unknown on.
Its fame rests not on the text the vulgate version of the gospels but from its absolutely. But these were torn off when the book was stolen and the rest thrown in a ditch, from where it was recovered and returned to the abbey. Posted by christian clay columba campbell 30 september 2012 30 september 2012 leave a comment on folio 34 recto. It was made in ireland, or possibly england, about ad800. Chirhoiota page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably from iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. The text on the page not entirely visible in this detail reads xpi autem generatio and is the incipit of the gospel according to st. Today, it consists of 340 vellum leaves, or folios, totaling 680 pages. Scan of a photograph of a detail of folio 34 recto chi rho.
Figure 168 chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably from iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. David composing the psalms from the paris psalter constantinople c. A masterpiece recreated by crefydd the book of kells. The manuscript today comprises 340 leaves or folios.
Chapter 16 gardners art through the ages 12th edition art. The early medieval era purse cover, from the sutton hoo ship burial in suffolk, england, ca. Dec, 20 chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto, from book of kells. Leabhar cheanannais the book of kells trinity college library, ms a. The extant manuscript consists of 340 calf vellum folios, cut from bifilios, and sewn into quires of varying sizes from a single. The greatest achievement of hibernosaxon art is the book of kells, which boasts an unprecedented number of fullpage illuminations, including carpet pages, evangelist symbols, portrayals of the virgin mary and of christ, new testament narrative scenes, canon tables, and several. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells c. One of the most sublime examples of medieval painting ever seen, the monogram chirho page is the most important page in the late 8thcentury book of kells, arguably the finest of all illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for the intricate swirling patterns of its celtic art. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. Chi rho iota page folio 34 recto of the book of kells. Sep, 2012 detail from the chirho page folio 34 recto of the book of kells. Otto iii enthroned, folio 24 recto of the gospel book of otto iii, from reichenau, germany. Its ornamentation a typical example of celtic metalwork art included a gold cover encrusted with precious stones.
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