One of the greatest and most mysterious works of arts
No other work of art possesses such powerful symbolism. It is full of the most outstanding examples of book illumination ever created. The Latin text is written in the graceful insular majuscule script and depicts the life of Christ as narrated in the four Gospels of the New Testament. There are 680 pages devoted to the glorification of Christ’s life and work in an almost indescribable wealth of superlative illuminations.
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The History Of The Book Of Kells
A masterpiece, created 1200 years ago, the precise origins of the Book of Kells are lost in time. It was written and painted with stunning genius about the year 800. The script in the Book of Kells was created by four monks – two of whom worked on the script and a number of specialist artists worked on the illustrations.
The Book of Kells was made not for daily use, but was conceived as a sacred work of art, to be used on the altar only on the most special occasions.
The name ‘Book of Kells’ is derived from the Abbey of Kells, County Meath, where it was kept for much of the mediæval period. The Abbey of Kells was founded in the early ninth century, at the time of Viking invasions, by monks from a monastery at Iona (off the western coast of Scotland). Iona was founded by St. Columba in the middle of the 6th century. There has been considerable debate on whether the manuscript was created by the Columban community at Iona or at Kells.
The book was stolen from Kells in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. Although the book was found a short while later, the cover, which most likely included gold and gems, was never recovered. It remained at the monastery and later the abbey church in Kells until the mid-17th century, when it was brought to Dublin during the Cromwellian period and presented by Archbishop Henry Jones to Trinity College where it resides today.
Trinity College Dublin
The manuscript has been in the care of Trinity College Dublin for over 450 years. In 1953 it was conserved and bound in four volumes. It has been on display in the Old Library since the 19th century. Two volumes can normally be seen, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show a page of script. It is exhibited as part of an installation on the Library’s mediæval manuscripts and is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors. Visiting school groups are admitted free of charge during the school year.
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Monastic Life
Monasteries were at the centre of cultural and intellectual life in 9th century Ireland. The image of the Irish monk was of a scholar occupied in reading or in copying manuscripts. Agriculture was necessary to sustain the existence of the community – the care of animals, of the dairy, of crops etc. Beekeeping was central to the daily life of a monastery. Bees were kept not only to make honey, but beeswax was used to make candles for the altar. Honey was a key ingredient in mead – an alcoholic drink which the monks made. Monasteries in 9th century Ireland were vulnerable to attacks from Viking raiders.
The Materials The Scribes Used
The Book of Kells was written and painted on vellum. Vellum was produced from calfskin. The writers used feather quills and probably pointed wooden instruments and extremely fine brushes made of the fur of the pine marten.
Colours Assembled From Around The World
The painters of the Book of Kells used reds from red leads and kermes, a crimson derived from the female body of a Mediterranean insect. The deep yellow came from the mineral orpiment, which served as a substitute for gold; the bright green from verdigris (derived from oxidised copper) and an olive shade was produced by mixing the verdigris with orpiment; the blue was derived from the plant indigo. The binding medium was usually egg white.
Honey & Monasteries
Honey and the honeybee played an important part in everyday life in 9th century Ireland. Monasteries were important centres of honey production, so much so that their place names often incorporate the word honey. Mellifont Abbey takes its name from Fons Mellis – the fountain of honey. Clonmel Monastery takes its name from Cluain Meala – Meadow of Honey.
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