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Kells The Book of Kells, or Book of Colum, the Great Gospel-Book believed by many to be the most exquisite of all illuminated Medieval manuscripts was produced around 750 A.D. The Irish calligraphy is the most famous example of the Roman Uncial, the smaller rounded capitals that are the beginnings of the modern English alphabet. The Madonna portrait may be the first Western representation of the Virgin and Child. The Evangelists are in the Vulgate order of St. Jerome: Matthew - man; Mark - lion; Luke - calf; John - eagle. There is a rich
variety of sumptuous color and detail, with complex, intertwined motifs
of plants and animals, and far more sophisticated, life-like depictions
of human figures. The amazingly intricate blend of words and images,
with many monograms (connected letterforms, a stage in the development
of modern English cursive script), may represent the epitome of Anglo-Celtic
illumination. |