A Proper Representation of the Insular Art - Essay Example

The Book of Kells The Book of Kells is one of the most remarkable books in history. This book was written in the late twelfth century. The Book of Kells borrows its origin from the ca. 800 AD. It is prudent to note that the book of Kells is the most adorable book written in Latin. The book of Kells contains several texts as well as illustrations featuring the works of Jesus Christ. In this manner, it is of critical significance to acknowledge the fact that the Book of Kells is the manuscript book that details the Gospel in Latin. Apart from the beautiful texts found within the book of Kells, it is critical to note that the Book of Kells also contains several tables1. These tables are so informative and they have lots of knowledge embedded within them. The Book of Kells contains all the four Gospels. It is of critical significance to note that majority of the texts found within the Book of Kells draw their origin from the original Bible. However, a number of the texts found in the Book of Kells are from Vulgate. It is important to acknowledge the fact that the Book of Kells was written in a Columbian monastery. One of the propositions is that the creation of the Book of Kells took place in Britain. However, there are several speculations that the creation of the Book of Kells took place in Ireland. In relation to this, majority of the people around the world majorly believe that the creation of the Book of Kells took place in Ireland. The reality surrounding the exact place of origin has made many scholars of the book spend more time in research. However, on this basis, a number of propositions have been put forward relevant to this. However, it is important to note that such propositions as well as suggestions have been contradictory. This has also created a sense of controversy following the discrepancies in similarity amongst the scholars’ findings. In addition, the exact date and time when the Book of Kells was created has also been a matter of discussion for many years. However, the most important thing to note irrespective of the different speculations, predictions as well as suggestions from the scholars is that the book has drawn lots of interest from several people around the world. It is believed that the Book of Kells was written by three key personalities2. These personalities have had various influences in certain key artistic aspects of the Ireland during such periods. They were very famous artists during the time when the Book of Kells was being written. As such, they took the roles of ensuring that the book had the magnificent illustrations, pictures as well as the artistic elements that form its key characteristics. These artists can be identified following the key decorations in the Book of Kells. On this basis, it is of critical significance to note that one of the people or artists who came up with the Book of Kells majorly focused on the text. His artistic work in coming up with the Book of Kells involved ensuring that the texts within the book are captivating, emotionally compelling as well as visually attractive. This can be seen in the image below. Image 1: The captivating texts within the Book of Kells This has made several people fall in love with the Book of Kells. The artistic work of the person who focused on the texts in the Book of Kells has made the book to gain more fame over decades. Other than the texts, the second scribe may also have focused on the major decorations in the book. This involved coming up with the lucrative ornaments that have been featuring on the Chi Rho page of the Book of Kells. This artist performed extraordinary wok in coming up with such artistic work of finite fineness. The ornaments that resulted from the works of the artist endowed with that responsibility have made several people love the Book. It is important to highlight the fact that majority of the scribes within the Book of Kells have been written in different colors. Some of these colors include purple as well as red3. This is depicted in the picture below. Image 2: Image depicting the superb scribes within the Book of Kells However, it is important to note that the impressions created by these colors relevant to the viewers as well as reader’s perceptions are astounding. It is important to note that majority of people always love colored decorations. I this manner, the Book of Kells is amongst such books that have lured many people around the world. This is also associated with the fact that this book falls amongst other key adorable books of the medieval periods. The skill as well as expertise with which the colors were matched is of highest standards4. This is depicted in the image below. Image 3: Adorable and attractive decorations found in the Book of Kells This has made the Book of Kells emerge as one of the most interesting books in the world history. Other than the red and purple colors, the artists also used yellow color in coming up with decorations as well as texts within the Book of Kells. This has made the book become one of the literature delicacies in the medieval periods. As such, it is of critical importance to acknowledge the fact that the Book of Kells is extraordinary as well as stand-alone relevant to its fineness as well as stylistic traits. The Book of Kells was written in the most appropriate manner accompanied by beautiful texts, decorations as well as paintings5. The contents of the book were superbly framed. This has made the Book of Kells become one of the most famous religious books over several centuries as well as decades. It is of crucial significance to note that one of the most compelling things in the Book of Kells is its construction. One of the most important things to note is that the Book of Kells was written on calfskin. This is sometimes referred to as the vellum. This makes this book emerge as one of the most interesting, significant as well as greatly loved by many individuals. The fact that the book was written on calfskin is symbolistic in nature. This follows that a calf is considered the most docile animal in the world. Again, several speculations as well as opinions depict the calf as the most adored animal during those periods. The issue of writing the contents of the book in calfskin was also symbolistic and played a greater role in coming up with the smooth writings. This follows that a calfskin is very smooth and could easily act as a smooth writing surface as needed by the artists. Other than the material used for writing the texts, the nature of construction of the Book of Kells also focuses on the character illuminations and the decorations. It is important to note that several colors were used in coming up with the illuminations of this book called the Book of Kells. The prowess in which such colors were matched, the fine touches as well as design of such colors are remarkably astounding. The Book of Kells is exemplary since the workmanship involved in coming up with the elements of the book were of great insight as well as in depth comprehension. For instance, the illuminations carry with them several colors incorporated as well as mixed. The identification of such colors may be quite difficult. Some of the illustrations, decorations as well as text have a mixture of colors that can only be isolated or clearly identified using a magnifying lens. This shows how superb the artistic work of the Book of Kells was. It is of critical importance to understand that the fame following the book of Kells lie in several elements of the book. One of the elements that is responsible for the increasing fame in the Book of Kells is the texts. These texts detail the four Gospels. These are found in the New Testament. It is significant to note that these texts are very beautiful. The artistic styles in which the texts have been written are visually appealing. This makes many people to fall in love with the Book of Kells. In addition, the texts are very informative following the fact that it is a religious book. This has made several people to come or pay frequent visits to the Dublin’s Trinity College to have a look at the book. It is important to note that the Book of Kells is a proper representation of the insular art. In relation to this, it is significant to note that the manuscript was written on the basis of insular majuscule. However, even though the Book of Kells contains the four gospels, there are a number of issues relevant to them. For instance, a number of texts missing in the book of Kells but are found in the Gospels. A good example to depict the above statement is in the genealogy of Jesus. In the genealogy, the Book of Kells adds one more character in the ancestry of Jesus6. This makes it have some differences with the conventional Gospels as it is known all over the world. In addition, the other differences in relation to the errors of the text include the changes in meanings of some words. This follows the omissions that are the characteristic of the Book of Kells. For instance, in the Book of Kells, there is a change in meaning of the phrase in Mathew chapter ten from verse thirty-four. In this chapter, it is depicted that Jesus came to send a sword but not peace. However, in the manuscript of the Book of Kells, the place of the word “sword” has been replaced by the word “joy”. This clearly changes the meaning, as well as the true message as detailed in the Gospels. Despite the fascinating texts within the manuscript, the Book of Kells is also extremely famous following its decorations as well as illuminations. Some of the images to depict the high standards of decorations and illuminations are shown below. Image 4: fascinating and attractive illuminations and decorations in the Book of Kells These have been done in such a standard that leaves many people with admiration. This follows the skills, expertise as well as the efficiency with which such decorations were made. The decorations paint very lucrative pictures in the hearts of many lovers of the Book of Kells. These decorations are stand-alone. This follows that they were done superbly well in the period when one could not comprehend any artistic work of such a standard of output. Such decorations are so marvelous that the workmanship that resulted to their creation has gained lots of international reputation. This makes this book be one of the most studied books in the world. These decorations are found in nearly all the pages of the Book of Kells. They bring out the exemplary and extraordinary artistic taste of the book. However, it is significant to note that the book of Kells has several repetitions of texts as well as phrases. This may be attributed to the oversight of the artists who were involved in creation of the book. Endnotes Farr, Carol. The Book of Kells: Its Function and Audience. (London, 1997). 2 Ben Mackworth-Praed, 45. 3 Bernard Meehan, 67. 4 Ben Mackworth-Praed, 73. 5 George Simms 57 6 Françoise Henry, 39. Bibliographies Farr, Carol. The Book of Kells: Its Function and Audience. (London, 1997). Henry, Françoise. The Book of Kells: Reproductions from the Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin. (New York: Knopf, 1974). Mackworth-Praed, Ben. The Book of Kells. (London: Ebury Press, 2008). Meehan, Bernard. The Book of Kells. (New York: Thames & Hudson, 2012). Meehan, Bernard. The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin. (New York, N.Y: Thames and Hudson, 1994). Simms, George O. The Book of Kells: A Selection of Pages. (Dublin: Printed at the Dolmen Press for the Library of Trinity College, 1961). Read More