The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin

Customer Reviews:

The Book of Kells: informing and illuminating.......2007-09-30

The Book of Kells is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in existence. This booklet enables those of us who are unlikely to ever see the real manuscript to feast our eyes on many of the illustrations as well as to learn a little of its history and preparation. Most of the illustrations are in colour and their vibrancy is still apparent across 12 centuries.

I consider that this booklet is worth acquiring for the illustrations alone. It also contains a lot of useful information for those interested in the physical preparation of such manuscripts as well as the underlying historical significance of this particular manuscript.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction.......2007-01-13

The book was just what I was expecting. Shipping was quick.

Darkness into Light.......2005-08-25

I was glad I had this book along with me when I went to see the real Book of Kells at the Trinity College Library in Dublin. The lines of tourists waiting to view this famous eighth century manuscript were about a quarter of a mile long, and the museum proctors were really hustling us through the area where a small sampling of pages were actually on view.

(If you take the tour, be sure to check out the main chamber of the Old Library with its first editions of Newton and Darwin, plus the harp that is (alas, falsely) attributed to Brian Boru, high king of Ireland).

The first facsimile of the Book of Kells was published in 1974, and although this book only advertises itself as 'an illustrated introduction to the manuscript...' it contains good color plates of many of the most famous pages, e.g. the symbols of the four evangelists and the beginning of the 'Breves causae' of Matthew, among others.

Author, Bernard Meehan, the current Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College states that "the sacred text itself was copied in the Book of Kells with a remarkable degree of inaccuracy." It consists of the Latin text of the Gospels, illuminated in the very ornate Hiberno-Saxon style ('Hiberno' refers to the Irish, or Hibernians).

Legend has it that the Book of Kells was produced by St. Colum Cille on the island of Iona off western Scotland. Although it was probably begun in the Irish monastery on Iona, it was taken to the monastery of Kells in County Meath, after a series of Viking raids. The monastery on Iona was pillaged in 795, and again in 802. According to the author, "In 806, sixty-eight of the community were killed in another raid. The following year, the survivors migrated to Ireland and began to erect conventual buildings at Kells..." where the illumination of the manuscript was probably completed.

If you are interested in the historical background of the Book of Kells, the author devotes a whole Appendix to it.

Alas, according to this book's second Appendix, "Losses, Additions and Marginalia," the Book of Kells has not remained intact down through the centuries. "At present there are 340 folios, but around thirty folios, including some major decorated pages have been lost." The monks also used blank spaces in the manuscript to record details of property transactions in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries.

Meehan's book is definitely worth viewing and reading. It also contains a wealth of the smaller decorative illustrations that do not always relate to the sacred text, e.g. hares, dogs, horses, and at least one moth. The color and minute details of these decorations are a source of endless fascination, and the scholarly text, although a trifle dry, is also very interesting.

awesome pictures, horrible writing.......2005-05-16

I like how the author gives various images of the book of kells, but gets really confusing and goes all over the place while writing about it. I think a lot could be learned from this book, but the author crams so many examples into the work that it starts to get annoying. Ever line seems to have parenthesis around something and folio this or that. For that alone i give the book two stars, multiple examples are good, just not when you plague every line with one. It hardly gives the reader a chance to understand the first few.

"The most precious object in the western world".......2002-12-01

Resting at Trinity College Dublin is one of the truly singular products of early European art. This is 'The Book of Kells,' an ornately illuminated rendition of the four gospels, rendered sometime in the Ninth Century. It has been both an influence and an inspiration since the time of its making, illustrating both the story it tells, and the subtle mind of symbolists who wove the story and the art together.

One of the key problems the student of illustrated art suffers in any attempt to study 'The Book of Kells' is the simple matter of access. I believe that the replica edition of the book cost nearly $20,000 when it was published, and most other resources limit themselves to only the most famous of the pages. Only a few detailed studies exist, and this one, written by Bernard Meehan (Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College), is one of the best, both in terms of quality and quantity of reproduction as well as a literate and thorough discussion.

Book Description

Painstakingly reproduced from a rare facsimile edition, this volume contains full-page decorations, portraits, illustrations, plus a sampling of textual leaves with exquisite calligraphy and ornamentation. The 32 full-color illustrations include the first image of Virgin and Child in a Western manuscript and early representations of Apocalyptic visionary symbols of the Evangelists.

Customer Reviews:

Worth the money but it could have been so much more.......2000-06-02

This book of color plates seems amazing, and almost is. However, the quality of the plates falls short of the mark. The colors are dull and faded, and the image resolution far lower than it should be. The Chi Rho page, probably the most beautiful page in the Book of Kells, shows almost none of the amazingly minute detail that it should. Other books--like the Thames & Hudson--show far more detail with more vivid colors than this. On the other hand, this book has larger pages than others, which is nice.

transcends time & religion.......1999-11-26

32 full color plates from one of the world's greatest books. Although it is Christian art, the Kells reflects centuries of preChristian style & mystery in its bestiary of cats & dragons, its peacock feathers, poses & intertwining lines. There is something in this art that transcends time & religion. The price is a bargain.

Book Description

This remarkable series of practical, step-by-step guides brings together the most comprehensive collection ever published of Celtic designs and decorations and provides an invaluable source of inspiration for artists, designers and craftspeople of all kinds. Both freehand and canonical geometric methods are explained and detailed instructions are given on drawing and decorating letters in an authentic Celtic style, as well as on creating your own illuminated manuscript pages.

Customer Reviews:

Very interesting.......2006-03-20

Getting to know how this art was born, I strongly recommend to those who appreciate Celtic Art

Knotwork.......2006-03-14

I have not yet drawn knots from this book, but I have worked through Celtic Knots-Mastering the Traditional Pattern which I recommend at a first book for beginners like myself. However, I had read this book and can't wait to start drawing its knots.

If you're only buying one.......2006-01-19

If you're only buying one of Meehan's books, get this one. It's earned its cost 100 times over in helping me design my own knotwork patterns. The history is interesting on the first read; I'm not working on (nearly) priceless vellum so I can afford rough drafts on scrap paper and don't follow the formal construction methods. But there's plenty of material to serve as a starting point.

The collection of Trinity knots in the back is fabulous--try them in balloon art for a change of scale.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly.......2006-01-03

This book will show you how to make Celtic knots and it does contain detailed diagrams, however what this book shows you in 20 pages can be easily shown in just a couple of diagrams while at other times the book shows you in just a couple of diagrams what it should have shown you in 20 pages...So there is alot to be desired.

"What a tangled web we weave".......2002-11-16

Several years ago I was having a guitar made and wanted to use a Celtic theme for some of the inlay work. As usual, I discovered that this was a more complicated task than I had originally thought. Not all places on a guitar are equal, and trying to find a set of ideas that would work as a whole is almost as challenging as designing an illuminated manuscript page.

I my frantic search through the catalogs for books that provided more than pretty pictures, I stumbled across several volumes by Aidan Meehan, including this one on knotwork. Meehan's focus is as much on design as it is on imitation, which was perfect for what I was trying to do. The book is done in clean legible calligraphy with countless illustrations of both technique and results, making it a bit of an artwork itself.

Customer Reviews:

Another in a Fine Series.......2003-03-13

Aidan Meehan has made himself into an advocate for the resurgence of Celtic design. After years spent studying art in Ireland and Scotland, Meehan can claim not only historical expertise, but a wealth of technical expertise as well. Meehan writes of the elements of Celtic design as something alive and vibrant that can be a welcome addition or inspiration to any artist's palette.

This small volume is a presentation of the use of animal patterns in jewelry and decoration from the Sutton Hoo burial, the Celtic gospels, and many other sources. Meehan provides a basic historical discussion, but his focus is on how the designs were created. Using a patient style and countless pen-and-ink drawings in a book that is an essay in the calligrapher's art, Meehan has produced another valuable, living reference in a long series.

Whether you are a jeweler, designer, or a tattoo specialist, there is much to draw on here. The only thing I ever miss in Meehan's books is the inclusion of photographs of the original works. I'm sure Meehan has very good reason's for the omission, but for the curious, this is a bit of a challenge.

An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs........2001-03-30

This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.

This book teaches the origins of animal style. It shows various belt, buckle and brooch designs. It then goes into dog, bird, and people patterns.

The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!

Customer Reviews:

NOT WHAT I HOPED FOR.......2001-11-26

THE COVER OF MEEHAN'S "ILLUMINATED LETTERS" IS MISLEADING. THE COVER EXHIBITS THE VIBRANT AND RICH COLORS THAT CELTIC ILLUMINATION IS REKNOWN FOR, BUT UP0N OPENING THE BOOK, I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND NOT A HINT OF COLOR. COMPLETELY BLACK AND WHITE. THERE IS AN INTRODUCTION, BRIEF BUT INFORMATIVE, AN EARLY DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER, MAJOR INITIALS CHAPTER, DECORATED ALPHABET CHAPTER, ANIMAL ALPHABET, AND TWO DECORATED AMPERSAND CHAPTERS; WHO USES AMPERSANDS THAT MUCH?! I THOUGHT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MANY MORE EXAMPLES OF ILLUMINATED LETTERS (NOT AMPERSANDS) FOR THE 160 PAGE VOLUME THAT IT IS.

Celtic lettering so anyone can learn it.......2001-07-29

This book makes Celtic lettering styles accessible to anyone. As great as Meehan's other books.

An excellent book for those interested in Celtic Designs........2001-03-30

This is an excellent book for those looking to create celtic designs.

This book teaches about the development of illumination. It then goes into the major initials, decorated alphabet, decorated ampersands, the animal alphabet and animal ampersands.

The book is best used when accompianied by Aidan's other Celtic Design books. I have 7 of the books in this series and love them all!

Book Description

The Ancient Books of Ireland describes precious manuscripts that have survived for centuries. Slavin reveals not only their fascinating contents but their intriguing histories. Among the most important manuscripts described are : • The sixth-century Cathach, the oldest Irish book in the world, which was carried into battle at the head of the O'Donnell armies of Ulster. • The ninth-century Book of Armagh, which contains the earliest accounts of St Patrick's coming to Ireland and was once pawned for $10 by a British spy. • The eleventh-century Book of the Dun Cow, the earliest surviving copy of Ireland's most revered stories and legends, which has been held for ransom and caused the battle between the Donegal O'Donnells and the O'Connors of Connaught. The Ancient Books of Ireland is lavishly illustrated with fine examples of classic scripts and illuminations.

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Review of the Annals.......2006-11-03

This book is a wonderful read for those interested in the background of the numerous ancient annals of Ireland. It contains a number of photographs of these rare illuminated scripts, but little or nothing of the translations. It also deals less with the content of the ancient texts or it's contribution to our knowledge of the early history of the island, than it does with the provenance of the original documents and their early copies. But this is to be expected as the author is an antiquarian, not a historian.

Average customer rating:

Fascinating!

Words And Image in the Book of Kells
Heather Pulliam
Manufacturer: Four Courts Pr Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Byzantine | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1851829253

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating!.......2006-08-07

I'm no expert, but I think this is the best work written on the Book of Kells EVER! The author captured my interest from the very first page and I wasn't able to put the book down until I finished it. I realize that it's rather expensive for a book, but it truly is worth every penny. If you're only going to own one book on this subject, you should buy Heather Pulliam's. Even if you never get around to reading it, the cover is really pretty!

Celtic Illumination: The Irish School (Celtic Design)

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Celtic Illumination: The Irish School (Celtic Design)
Courtney Davis
Manufacturer: Irish Books & Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Ancient & Classical | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

Early Celtic illuminated manuscripts continue to intrigue us with their intricacy and craftsmanship. Contemporary artist Courtney Davis recreates portraits of the saints, border designs, Celtic symbols, and elaborate initials from all the Irish School manuscripts, spanning the period from the beginning of the seventh century until the twelfth century. His text vividly describes the historical background--the Christianization of Ireland, the Viking raids, and the monks who fled with their precious books to libraries abroad. From the Book of Durrow to the Corpus Missal, the origin of each manuscript is given, with an account of where and by whom it was made, its purpose, and the symbolism of its designs. The result is an inspiration for designers everywhere, and an essential resource for anyone interested in the Celts.

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Exploring Book Kells
George Otto Simms
Manufacturer: O'Brien
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin

ASIN: 0862781795

Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Painting: Book Illumination in the British Isles 600-800

Average customer rating:

Explaining the manuscript point of view of the book
The era of the book artwork IS as described...
Not Celtic, and not Anglo-Saxon either.
Religious Celtic art

Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Painting: Book Illumination in the British Isles 600-800
Carl Adam Johan Nordenfalk
Manufacturer: George Braziller Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Medieval | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807608262

Customer Reviews:

Explaining the manuscript point of view of the book.......2006-02-20

In a review by "The Old Philosopher" above he states that he doesn't find this books covers the classic Celtic art. Probably that';s because the title includes the words "Illumunated manuscripts" in it.

The era of the book artwork IS as described..........2005-11-02

This book is more of an overview of several books than focused on one in particular, but still nice for the plates and a good sampler if you're not sure what to get. The title of this book is not misleading if you know anything about the history of Celtic art and it's later years in illumination, from my experience as a reviewer for the British Museum's publications and having worked in Ireland on archaeology digs as their sketch artist. ;-) During the Christian era of Celtic art they did have many influences of Coptic, Greek, Norse, *and* Persian design, especially in the Book of Kells. The Irish monks did quite a lot of travel during the dark ages to promote learning, and the monastaries in Ireland had students from countries all over the world, hence a good influx of other ideas which they of course fused into their own (masters of adaptation!). "The Old Philosopher"'s desire for Ogham to be used in the manuscripts is very far off... the latin uncial used in the manuscripts is standard for the period, as the ancients Celts (pre-Christianity) didn't have books per sae, only a sort of "runic" writing system of slashes used on staves and stone. They *had* no manuscripts so expecting to see Ogham in a manuscipt would be ridiculous! I think "The Old Philosopher" misunderstands the period of Celtic history these books were created in, as the title is certainly reflective for the period listed. If you enjoy Celtic manuscripts such as the Book of Kells or Lindisfarne Gospels this will be a nice overview of some of the different evolutionary flavors the artwork went through. If you want more information on Celtic art then any book by Ruth and Vincent Megaw (such as "Celtic Art", available from Amazon as well) will cover the early periods (typically only up to the Christian era, or briefly entering the Christian era), and then any book published on the old manuscritps such as the Book of Durrow, Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Book of Kells are great. This book is more an overview of a bunch of books, so good for starting out your manuscript collection.

Not Celtic, and not Anglo-Saxon either........2005-06-14

The title is quite misleading. The Amazon listing also says, "Book Illumination in the British Isles 600-800." Unfortunately that amendment is not shown on the cover, only on the inside title page and I missed it. I find that contradictory anyway since classic Celtic culture had pretty much vanished by the end of the Roman Empire. The title implies a book about painting of classic Celtic culture, a millennium spanning culture famous for it's art. Unfortunately that's not what this book contains. If you are looking for a book describing early Christian art from Irish Bibles this might be an excellent book to buy. It wasn't what I expected after reading the title.

The civilization generally called "Celtic" consisted of a number of culturally related tribes and peoples dispersed across Western Europe. Celtic culture is generally identified by it's artwork including some very fine examples of sculpture, pottery, gold ornamentation, and painting which has been found in graves and other locations from Austria west. Gaul was probably the center of Celtic culture in the centuries when the Celts were strong enough to sack Rome. Many, many fine examples of Celtic art are still found in museums and galleries today. When I opened this book after reading the title I expected to find plates and descriptions of classic Celtic art. The word "CELTIC" is after all printed in huge letters on the top of the cover. Anglo-Saxon art is less well known than Celtic art, and I was curious to learn how Anglo-Saxon art succeeds the Celtic art. After all, the time period of the Anglo-Saxons was later than that of the Celtic culture.

I was seriously disappointed with this book. The works shown in this book are almost entirely from christian bibles other books drawn and inscribed by Christian monks. The script in the plates (the paintings) is Latin or vulgate Latin, not the Celtic Ogham alphabet. Many of the symbols shown in the paintings are said by the author to be of Persian origin. Hello? When did Persian Christian art become Celtic?

I found no examples of art from the historic Celtic culture in this book. Yes, the examples of early Irish Christian bibles were influenced by Celtic artistic history as well as Roman and Persian. I don't really believe that a Persian inspired portrait of Saint Mathew or Jesus is "CELTIC painting," even if the artist was Irish. Missing entirely was art from a thousand years of Celtic culture before and during Roman occupation of Celtic lands. As for Anglo-Saxon painting, you have to look really hard to find where that is even mentioned inside the cover.

Religious Celtic art.......2003-08-04

This book features forty eight color plates that are reproduced in high quality paper from original manuscripts from the seventh and centuries. The author, Carl Nordenfalk, provides a historical background and commentry on each of the plates. The author 's style of writing lends itself well to one not overly knowledgeable of the subject matter. The manuscripts are taken from the Gospel Books which were richly ornate, having almost talismanic qualities having been produced in the native art style of the Celts and Anglo- Saxons as the Christian missionaries were proselytizing in the Bristish Isles. Most of the manuscripts come from the Book of Lindisfarne, the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells. The manuscripts feature portraits of various Christian messengers such as Saint Luke, Saint John, Saint Chad and biblical figures such as King David, Madonna and Christ. There are also pages of the written word from the various gospels shown in the rich decorative style of the Celts. The looping interlocked letters and motiffs are an amazing contribution to civilization that everyone can enjoy from these ancient, partialy intact codex. The symbols and strange animation create symetrical patterns that are highly imaginative and will astound the viewer with it's complex primitivism. The intrinsic beauty and composition is sometimes in stark contrast to the flatness of the figures. You can literally get lost in the patterns, there are endless oblong patterns of scrollwork, tied together by knots, interwoven and intertwined animals stretching out and connecting to fancy letters or other motiffs that will dazzle your senses. This is a great book to gaze upon and reassure yourself of the beautiful beyond that has inspired many centuries of art work. The book also provides a complete list of color and black and white plates and a selected bibliography for future reference. This is a great book to look at anytime, especially in those tranquil moments of peace and reflection. Recommended for anyone interested in book illumination, Christian art and the similarities between Celtic art from this period and Byzantine and Italian art and the inspiration of the Gospel.

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