The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables it was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. The book of kells is a masterpiece of medieval art a brilliantly decorated version of the four gospels with fullpage depictions of christ, the virgin and the evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative painting. Many years ago the art historian francoise henry made the intriguing suggestion that it may have been commissioned to mark the 200th anniversary in 797. Folio129v contains symbols of the four evangelists. The book of kells by sullivan, edward, sir, 18521928. The book of kells was probably produced in a monastery on the isle of iona, scotland, to honor saint columba in the early 8th century. One of irelands major cultural and artistic treasures, the book of kells and the old library exhibition counts among the oldest texts in the world, dated to the 9th century. The exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing. The book turning darkness into light when iona was. The book of kells is one of the finest and most famous, and also one of the latest, of a group of manuscripts in what is known as the insular style, produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations.
This illuminated manuscript contains the four gospels of the bibles new testament and other sacred texts, written in latin. The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. Its one of the finest examples of an illuminated manuscript. It was later relocated to trinity college in dublin for safekeeping and can there be wondered at ever since. The book of kells 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. The book of kells, dating from about 800 ce, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four gospels. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for. Dec 14, 2012 folio 32vfor many in ireland, the book of kells serves as an unofficial symbol of national culture. Pride of place is given to the book of kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript dating from the 9th century. George bains drawings from the book of kells, eight circled cross.
The book of kells consists if the latin text of the four gospels, matthew, mark, luke and john. The book of kells, tcd ms 58, folio 34r detail trinity college dublin. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona fled raids in the early ninth century. While it is generally accepted that the book was begun in the monastery of iona at some point after c. Originally published in 1985, the book of kells is nicely set in both 1985 and 985 with some backandforth time travel. An introduction to the book of kells and the beautiful film the secret of kells made by the studio cartoon saloon. A history of the book of kells in 1 minute culture trip. Trinity college library, dublin that is a masterpiece of the ornate hibernosaxon style. The book of kells was made by monks unbeknownst by name who possessed the mostsound technical expertise and an excellent knowledge of past and contemporary art. The verso of the folio containing the arrest of christ has a full page of decorated text which begins tunc dicit illis.
Generally referred to as irelands finest national treasure, the book of kells is a. The poor scribes of yore who were spiritual calligraphers and illuminators of irelands most famous book, many housed in trinity college dublin, the monks and scholars of ireland. The first mention of this work of art is probably the entry in the annals of ulster under the year. The text of the gospels is mostly taken from the vulgate bible, and it has several passages from earlier versions of the bible, such as the vetus latina.
Macavoy is a highly acclaimed author of imaginative and original science fiction and fantasy novels. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona. Celtic e drop cap from the book of kells, 10 x 15 photo paper print illuminiatures 5. The edges and title pages of the finest illuminated manuscripts were decorated with elaborate designs and often used gold leafing. Book of kells recorded 1991 november record book of kells with the now regular lineup of david, dave, jo, terl and nick with guests including. The exhibit is accessible from either the main gate into trinity facing dame street or from the side gate at nassau street access through the. When it comes to insular style, the book of kells, along with a few others such as the book of durrow, are held up as prime examples.
The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and. Information and translations of book of kells in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Pity the scholars who toiled over the book of kells. Burger king challenges the book of kells global trademark. The kells initial also contains the third letter of christs name, iota i. The library building itself was built between 1710 and 1732 so its almost a toddler in comparison. It is irelands most precious medieval artifact and is generally considered the finest surviving illuminated manuscript to have been produced in medieval europe. The book of kells by bernard meehan, hardcover barnes.
The book of kells is a medieval manuscript created by monks in the ninth century. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to. Folio 19 contains the beginning of the breves causae of luke. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. The greatest achievement of irish medieval art, the book of kells, was formerly. It also contains calendrical information for finding dates of easter and other christian festivals. Explore the complete book of kells in high resolution. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. Aug 12, 2010 an introduction to the book of kells and the beautiful film the secret of kells made by the studio cartoon saloon. Almost all the folios of the book of kells contain small illuminations like this decorated initial. The eight circled cross is a folio carpet page within the book of kells, which is on display at trinity college, dublin, the oldest university in ireland, built in 1592. The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. Dating from c ad800, it symbolizes the power of learning, the impact of christianity on the. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells.
One thing to note is the area around the book of kells is not huge. Nov 22, 2019 the book of kells is a stunningly beautiful manuscript containing the four gospels. It was directed by tomm moore and codirected by nora twomey, produced by. This new book, by the keeper of manuscripts at trinity college library, dublin, represents on a generous scale the glories. The book of kells 1 is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables. The first time i saw an illustration from the book of kells, in an art history class, i fell in love. I feel lucky that i read it and look forward to the other dozen books she has published. The decoration of the book is famous for combining intricate detail with bold and energetic compositions. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude. It was found a few months later buried in soil and returned to the monastery once again largely intact.
Aug 15, 2019 pride of place is given to the book of kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript dating from the 9th century. Book of kells was probably produced early in the 9th century by the monks of iona, working wholly or partially at iona itself or at kells, county meath, where they moved after 806 ad, the book of kells trinity college library dublin turning darkness into light when iona was attacked by vikings in a raid which left sixtyeight monks dead. The book has been lavishly illuminated by sumptuous illustrations in staggering colour and minute detail. The book of kells washingtoncenterville public library.
A few months later the book was found in a ditch under a sod. Nov 05, 2015 the book is believed to have been brought to kells following a viking raid on the monastery on the island of iona, scotland, in 806. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march it was directed by tomm moore and codirected by nora twomey, produced by paul young, didier brunner and vivian van fleteren. Apr 26, 2016 the book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. These early books were handwritten by monks in beautiful calligraphy. This new book, by the keeper of manuscripts at trinity college library, dublin, represents on a generous scale the. Its a beautifully illuminated version of the four gospels.
There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells. Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. An illuminated manuscript written around 800ce, this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination and is one of the most studied books in the world. As its custodian since 1970, peter brown, the librarian of trinity. They created earlymedieval miniatures which count among the most beautiful images of handcrafted book art altogether. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. It is probable that the illumination was begun in the late 8th century at the irish monastery on the scottish island of iona and that after a viking raid the. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. The book is a masterwork of western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of insular illumination. The book of kells is an artistic masterpiece acclaimed as the most beautiful book ever written. Apr 19, 20 the book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. But the book of kells s exquisite detail work, amount of illustration, and relative completion, really give a good guide to this style.
The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin international film festival. This official guide by the former keeper of manuscripts at the library of trinity college, dublin, where the book of kells is on permanent display, provides fascinating insights into one of the greatest surviving examples of medieval art. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. The book of kells isnt the only illuminated manuscript in the socalled insular style. The original version of the book of kells, at 340 pages, contains a copy of the four gospels in latin with some preliminary texts. Nov 15, 2012 we think we know the book of kells, but the plates in this bargain of a book still take your breath away.
Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. Traces the history of the book of kells, and discusses. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september.
The book of kells the book of kells, which eclipsed all other artistic and cultural achievements of the early middle ages, was created around ad 800 by irish monks to glorify the life of christ. 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 15, 2018 the poor scribes of yore who were spiritual calligraphers and illuminators of irelands most famous book, many housed in trinity college dublin, the monks and scholars of ireland. Explore the history of ireland through one of irelands most popular tourist attractions and the worlds most famous. The book of kells is a beautifully handilluminated manuscript, containing the four gospels of the new testament as well as various prefatory texts and tables bound in four volumes. May 26, 2017 the book takes its name from the abbey of kells which kept the book of kells for centuries before it moved to the dublin university.
The book was created sometime around the year 800 but scholars have been unable to determine where. Using the scrollwork designs and microscopic detailing of the book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels likely dating to the. Book of kells simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The book of kells is located in trinity college in the heart of dublin city centre. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to get close to the display. It was created by celtic monks circa 800 or slightly earlier. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. The book turning darkness into light when iona was attacked. This beautiful slipcased book has fullsized photographs in color of every page in the original book of kells, plus interesting and explanative text, and lots of closeups of the fantastic interlace designs.
Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers. The book takes its name from the abbey of kells which kept the book of kells for centuries before it moved to the dublin university. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. It also has elaborate, beautiful and playful decoration. The debate centers on whether the book was begun on iona and finished at kells or if it was created only on iona. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. Her debut novel, tea with the black dragon, won the john w. The book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables. Best of all was the chance to visit the book of kells as many times as i wanted. The decorations of the book of kells can be stunningly complex, as seen in this small detail of the chi rho monogram page. The book stayed in kells until 1654, when cromwells forces were quartered in the church of kells and the governor of the town sent it to dublin for safekeeping. A detail from the wonderful book of kells, housed at trinity college dublin.
High resolution scans of the book of kells are now available online from. Monks from the original monastery founded by st columba also set up other monastic communities including. Oct 10, 2011 despite having to crowd around the glass case containing the book of kells, it was more breathtaking than i expected. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket kiosks located at the nassau street entrance to. Henry jones was the man who ensured no harm came to the book, and eventually presented it to trinity college dublin in 1661, where it has remained ever since apart from a few. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. St matthew is represented by the man, st mark by the lion, st luke by the calf and st john by the eagle. Some scholars claim that the book is not connected to iona at all, but was created entirely at kells. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. She has also written the damiano trilogy, the chronicles of a wizards young son, set during an alternate history version of the italian renaissance. The force of ripping the book free from its cover probably accounts for folios pages missing from both the beginning and the end of the book of kells. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march. The book of kells remained in the irish parish for a total of 850 years and gained its name from this sojourn. Jan 22, 2014 book of kells is the first exhibit you enter.
The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables. You can almost picture a monk, hunched over the vellum, painstakingly writing each letter and adding the flourishes to the edge of the page. While the book of kells would be justly famous for its age alone, its renowned for its spectacular artwork. Brush up on the story of the book of kells the relic that has survived since 800ad. The book of kells remained in kells, ireland until 1654. The characteristics of the insular manuscript initial, as. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ.
1526 1360 617 1149 95 814 631 872 1433 235 1464 387 1447 760 174 1286 650 87 788 1210 1504 1040 901 977 850 1459 1348 424 1353 137 727 35 592 110 889 1235