The Book of Durrow: A Medieval Masterpiece at Trinity College DublinThe Book of Durrow is an early medieval Gospel book decorated with carpet pages and framed symbols of the Evangelists. Housed in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, it is regarded as second only to the Book of Kells. The opening words of the four Gospels are given great prominence, and popular interest has focused on the high artistic quality of these pages and their relationship to the art of the Book of Kells. Written by monks in Early Christian Ireland, it is the earliest surviving fully decorated insular Gospel book, yet it was executed with such a degree of sophistication that it cannot have been the first. Its date is uncertain and controversial, though recent research indicates that it was probably produced early in the eighth century. While it derives its name from the Irish Columban monastery of Durrow, Co Offaly, differing claims have been made that it was produced in Iona or in Northumbria. Parallels to features of The Book of Durrow can be found not only throughout the insular world but in Byzantine, Syriac, West African and Sassanian art. This is the first accessible work on the subject. Keeper of Manuscripts Bernard Meehan takes us on a guided tour of the masterpiece. With the help of some forty color reproductions taken specifically for this book, he uncovers some of the mysteries that lie within its pages, and compares the art and the history of The Book of Durrow with that of other rare volumes and artifacts. |
Contents
Introduction | 9 |
Techniques of decoration | 25 |
Symbols of the Evangelists | 43 |
Copyright | |
3 other sections not shown
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The Book of Durrow: A Medieval Masterpiece at Trinity College Dublin Bernard Meehan No preview available - 1996 |
Common terms and phrases
Adomnán Age of Migrating Alexander 1978 Ardagh Chalice Bede Bernard Meehan Book of Durrow Book of Kells Breues causae Calf canon tables Carl Nordenfalk carpet page carpet pages Codex colophon colour Colum Cille common to Matthew conference Proceedings 1994 County Offaly DECORATED PAGES diminuendo DOUBLE-ARMED CROSS Durrow folio Eagle Echternach Gospels eighth century enamel mount Evangelist symbols folio 18r folio 21v folio 2r folio 3v folio 85v Gospel book Haseloff Hebrew names inscription Insular Art Iona Irish Art Kells commentary 1990 Kells conference Proceedings Lindisfarne Lion Luce manuscript Martin Werner metalwork Migrating Ideas Museum of Ireland Northumbrian Ó Cróinín opening words OPPOSITE Pictish Powell red dots resembles Ricemarch Psalter scribe script sections common shrine St Colum Cille St John St John's Gospel St Luke St Mark St Matthew's Gospel Stevick Sutton Hoo symbol of St Trinity College Dublin Trinity College Library trumpet and spiral vellum William O'Sullivan