Product Details
- Publisher: Thames and Hudson (2020-05-05)
- Language: English
- Paperback: 96 pages
- ISBN-13: 9780500480243
- Item Weight: 391.23 grams
- Dimensions: 9.75 x 7.5 x 0.35 cm
A new book by the Keeper
of Manuscripts at Trinity
College Library that represents
the glories of the
Book of Kells for today’s
readers, revealing the
astounding detail and
richness of one of the
greatest treasures of
medieval Europe.
One of the most remarkable manuscripts to survive from the early Middle Ages in
Europe, the Book of Kells was probably painted around 800 in a monastery at Iona in
Scotland or Kells in Ireland, or perhaps in both places. Extraordinarily inventive and
intricate imagery accompanies the texts of the four Gospels: full-page depictions of
Evangelists and their symbols, lavish honorific openings to the Gospels, extraordinary
initials, and decoration that combines complex interlace, animals, and human figures.
This newly photographed book explores the Book of Kells through its historical
background; a display of the elements of the book at their actual size; the spectacular
openings of the texts that precede the Gospels; a study of earlier and comparable
manuscripts; detailed examination of symbols and themes, with special enlarged
details; a look at the scribes and artists who worked on the manuscript; and a
consideration of technical aspects, illuminated by recent scientific research.
The rich illustrations feature more than fifty full-size reproductions of complete
pages of the manuscript plus enlarged details that allow one to relish the intricacy
of elements barely visible to the naked eye. Supplementary images place the
manuscript in its setting and provide comparisons for its iconography and style.
About the Author
Bernard Meehan was head of research collections and keeper of manuscripts at Trinity College, Dublin, where the Book of Kells is on permanent exhibition.
