Monastic Ireland: the Book of Kells

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four New Testament gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Dating from c. 800 AD, this text was created by Celtic monks and was first discovered by Vikings at the scriptorium of St. Colum Cille in Iona. It is thought to have originated there. The Book of Kells is written in Latin on 340 vellum folios, in roughly the same translation at the Vulgate. The beautifully intricate illustrations are created with pigments from various rocks and natural materials; the lettering is written with iron gall ink in insular majuscule script. It is assumed that the illustrations are the work of three different scribes, each with their own distinct style. Some pages are entirely dedicated to large illustrations, some are entirely text, and others are a combination of the two. The Book of Kells is named after the Abbey of Kells where it was located for hundreds of years. Today it resides in the Trinity College Library in Dublin, Ireland. The book has been preserved in four volumes, two of which are always on display in rotation in the library.

            Historically, much of the greatest art of this time period can be attributed to illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. What may have once been the standard form of bookmaking is now preserved in only a few lasting examples. The Book of Kells is extremely valuable because it is one of the oldest of these remaining works. Ireland’s transition from an oral to a written culture is also represented in the Book of Kells. Dedicated religious work by monks in scriptoriums was the beginning of a long tradition of recorded history. Today, the Book of Kells gives us a further understanding of the educational development of Irish culture and the reverence that the Irish held for the scriptures. It is without a doubt that the people who created these illuminated works were intellectually and artistically advanced.

            Our group as a whole was amazed by the intricacy and skill that went into the creation of the Book of Kells. Max especially enjoyed watching the video about how these books were made. He said that there was an impressive amount of work and detail required in the binding and stitching of the vellum, especially compared to the ease with which we print documents today. Kayleigh loved the symbolism represented in the illuminated pictures and lettering. And Deanna was struck by the detail of the printing and the exactness of the hand-written font and images. Overall, the Book of Kells is a beautiful example of the blending of art and religion that was so fundamental to Irish history.