Nnbook of kells chi rho detail

It is thought the book was created as a showpiece for the altar, not for daily use, because more. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished by varied colours. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript, sometimes known as the book of columba, held in the trinity college library, dublin. The illumination above shows the symbol for the word christ. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. The word made flesh click here for a smaller 72 dpi image. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a. Made in 800ad by the monks belonging to the columban movement, it is probably irelands greatest national treasure. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. Best of all was the chance to visit the book of kells as many times as i wanted. On some pages every corner is filled with the most detailed and. The kells initial also contains the third letter of christs name, iota i. One of the most sublime examples of medieval painting ever seen, the monogram chirho page is the most important page in the late 8thcentury book of kells.

In this illumination the chi is the dominant form, an x with uneven arms, somewhat resembling a pair of curvaceous pliers. The decoration of the book is famous for combining intricate detail with bold and energetic compositions. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells published in features, issue 3 mayjune20, medieval history pre1500, vikings, volume 21 it has been suggested that this chi rho initial, with its dazzling range of colour and intricate patterns, would have taken months, perhaps even a year, to complete. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the. Chi and rho are two letters from the greek alphabet, chi gives the ch sound and is. One of the most sublime examples of medieval painting ever seen, the monogram chi rho page is the most important page in the late 8thcentury book of kells, arguably the finest of all illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for the intricate swirling patterns of its celtic art. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page.