The book of kells is a famous 8th century insular gospel book, now in the trinity college library in dublin. Chi and rho written x p in greek are the the first two letters of. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio. Soerfm public domain and the whole of the book of kells was surely a product of much hard labor, dedication, and tedious transcription that was done by the monks. As the skin is stretched and scraped, the parchment is soaked. The book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. The chi rho iota page from the book of kells shows. Sometime between 807 and 814, in the wake of a series. The annals of ulster, describing it as the chief treasure of the western world, record that it was stolen in 1006 for its ornamental cumdach shrine.
Photographs of her drawings were included in sullivans study of the book of kells, first printed in 19. Book painting, medieval illuminations, books of hours, psalters. The page called the chi rho page is another important page in the book of kells. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. This page opens account of jesus in gospels of saint matthew. The chirho illustration page is elaborately decorated with swirling knotwork, and within this lavish decoration there are hidden animals and insects, as well as three angels. An leabhar cheanannais dublin, trinity college library, ms a. 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. Part of the success of kells is its use of universal themes.
The word made flesh click here for a smaller 72 dpi image as part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chi rho page from the book of kells. The chi rho page is considered the most famous page in medieval art and introduces matthews account of the nativity. Then the hair and remaining tissue are removed and the skin is stretched across a wooden frame. Traditionally, it is thought the book was begun in the time of st. The blank verso of folio 33 faces the single most lavish miniature of the early medieval period, the book of kells chi rho monogram, which serves as incipit for the narrative of the life of christ. 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, arguably the finest of all. The chirho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ in ancient greek. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four christian gospels. It is a fascinating object of study, one that sheds light on religious, economic, and social practices of the time.
Sadly, the precise meaning of these symbols is lost to us today. Another word for irish art is celtic art, and since the irish were the first to develop. This article appeared in the fort worth startelegram on march 29, 1990. Vellum is made from the skin of calves, sheep or less frequently, goat kids, but in the case of the book of kells, calfskin was predominantly used. This page has become known as the chi rho monogram page. Of its 680 surviving pages, only two have no decoration at all. The initial pages of each of the four gospels in the book of kells are not at first. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells is the most lavish such monogram in insular gospel books that is those books produced in monasteries ireland, england and scotland or on the continent in monasteries founded by irish missionaries this verse has an.
Book of kells greatest achievement in hibernosaxon art. Chi rho is one of the oldest examples of this art form. The chi rho page in the book of kells by suzanne lewis the book of kells was probably made at the monastery of iona at the end of the eighth century. The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record.
The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a. Throughout the book of kells, there are very few names that are abbreviated. D different theories have it produced either whole or in part at iona in scotland andor at kells in ireland. Animals and creatures in the book of kells by dee mc on prezi. Leabhar cheanannais dublin, trinity college library, ms a. Based upon palaeographic evidence involving the style of script used in writing the book, it appears the manuscript was written after st. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. Chi and rho are the first two letters of the word christ in greek. The letters xpi are the greek abbreviation for the word christi or christ. Strictly speaking, rather than the book of kells, named after a town in county meath, it should be called the book of iona, as its thought that it was monks on that remote scottish island who. The letter rho is snuggled underneath the arms of the chi. Both letters are divided into compartment which are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns. The place, or places, where the book of kells was created is not known. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript.
Its fame rests not on the text the vulgate version of the gospels but from its absolutely. Irelands famed book of kells, the western worlds most beautiful illuminated manuscript, is also one of our greatest riddles. Although most pages have merely a decorated initial or two, there are also many carpet pages, portrait pages, and heavilydecorated chapter introductions that have little more than a line or two of text. There are cats, mice, butterflies, a moth, and an otter with a fish in his mouth. The book of kells was written on a type of parchment called vellum made from calfskin. The greatest achievement of irish medieval art, the book of kells, was formerly held to be earlier than the lindisfarne gospels which are dated approximately from 700 ce but is now generally assigned to the late eighth or early ninth century. The book of kells was probably made at the monastery of iona at the end of the eighth. The letters chi, rho and i are an abbreviation of christ. See more ideas about book of kells, celtic art and medieval art. Columbas death, thus discounting the traditional premise.
The book of kells has a second chirho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chirho occurs at the beginning of. It remained at kells throughout the middle ages, venerated as the great gospel book of st colum cille, a relic of the saint, as. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority of the page. This page has become known as the chirho monogram page. The book of kells is a medieval manuscript created by monks in the ninth century. Its a beautifully illuminated version of the four gospels. A great deal of symbolism can be found in the book of kells bok. For the meaning and interpretation of other manuscript illuminations, see. A christogram is a monogram or combination of letters that forms an abbreviation for the name of jesus christ, traditionally used as a christian symbol. It is called chi rho because the chi and rho are letters in the greek alphabet meaning christ. Preserving culture is important, but the film is careful not to spell out specifics that might limit its audience. Among these unprecedented rich illuminations the chi rho page fig.
For analysis and explanation of other important pictures from the renaissance, see. The secret of kells what is this remarkable animated. The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. Initial letters of christ in greek xpi chirhoiota, nearly all page. Book of kells chi rho illumination of ancient christogram. The book of kells and the chirho page by lisa spangenberg december 25, 2010 april 28, 2017 medieval manuscripts thanks to the lovely film the secret of kells, large numbers of people who have never taken an art history class or studied paleography now know about the book of kells.
Both letters are divided into compartments which are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns. This page occurs in many other insular manuscripts, but they cannot compare to the intricate decoration of the book of kells. The book of kells bok is recognised as being historically significant for many reasons. The book of kells is in fact a copy of the new testament of the bible. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page. After a detail from the chi rho page of the book of kells. The chi rho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The book of kells is a splendid example of medieval manuscript art.
Medieval monks spent years copying elaborate manuscripts. Its pages, or as they are called, folios are made from vellum. Book of kells chi rho iota, iona, scotland or early century oxgall inks and pigments on. Our artisans have respectfully woven a wall tapestry interpretation of this centuries old skill, conveying an old world, celtic feel with rich browns, and deep coppery tones. Meehan 1994 notes that the decorative illuminations, including those displaying symbolism, were used by the monks as a medium to convey the image of christianity. Christi is written with the monogram chi rho, or in greek, autem is. Although you probably know more or less what kind of book is being created, i dont believe there are mentions of a specific religion or what the book.
Chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells, probably from iona, scotland, late eighth or early ninth century. Illuminated chi rho page of the book of kells about richly illuminated manuscript on parchment, dimensions. The book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four. The text of the gospels is largely drawn from the vulgate, although it also. The book of kells has a second chirho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chirho occurs at the beginning of matthew rather than midtext at matthew 1. Named after monastery in southern ireland that owned it. The page precedes the nativity story as related by st matthew.