Lets look at how the monkartists of the book of kells beautifully illuminated the pivotal moment in history when god took on human flesh and came to earth to dwell. When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think. The chi rho page folio 34r, introducing matthews account of the nativity, is the single most famous page in medieval art. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written. The book of kells and the chi rho 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. The text of the gospels is mostly taken from the vulgate bible, and it has several passages from earlier versions of the bible, such as the vetus latina.
Throughout the book of kells, there are very few names that are abbreviated. Saw this in art history and thought it was so beautiful. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four. In insular books whatever symbolic importance the xp i incipit may have had seems to have been concentrated in the first letter. Below are 21 incredible images from this beautiful and mysterious book.
Illuminated chirho page of the book of kells about richly illuminated manuscript on parchment, dimensions. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists. The book of kells contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. This page has become known as the chirho monogram page.
The dominant position of the virgin demonstrates the high respect with which she was treated, and her portrayal as enthroned celebrates her majesty. The initial chi in kells dramatically fills up more than half the page, leaping like a giant acrobat over the small upright rho and iota below. They were used universally as a shorthand for writing christs name, and the abbreviation is used throughout the book of kells. Book of kells chi rho iota, iona, scotland or early century oxgall inks and pigments on vellum book of kells trinity college yahoo search results yahoo image search results book of kells, i actually got to see the orig now they have a copy up from what ive heard. Mar 12, 2011 chi rho page folio 34r books of kells c. 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. Chi and rho written x p in greek are the the first two letters of the word christ in greek xpi. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with celtic knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours, enliven the manuscripts pages. Cats in the book of kells authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons. In the book of kells these are perhaps visual marginalia a reflection of the everyday realities faced in the scribal environment, and the role of cats within it.
It has survived long enough for the to expire and the book to enter the public domain. 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 book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four christian gospels. An ideal place to contemplate our heavenly father, the trinity, the gospel. The page precedes the nativity story as related by st matthew.
The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record. 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 book of kells, chirho or incarnation page kathy, the. The letter chi is very large, followed by a smaller rho looks like the letter p, and this is entwined with the letter i. Jul 27, 2019 chi rho iota page, the book of kells, 800. The text of the gospels is mostly taken from the vulgate bible, and it has several passages from earlier versions of the bible, such as the. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin trinity college. Nov 05, 2015 together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the greatest contributions to medieval art ever to come out of the british isles. It is called chi rho because the chi and rho are letters in the greek alphabet meaning christ. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ in ancient greek. This page occurs in many other insular manuscripts, but they cannot compare to the intricate decoration of the book of kells. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r.
It is the chi rho, a symbol still used in the roman catholic church, that symbolizes christs name as it is the first two letters of the word. Chi rho iota page from the book of kells made in iona. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. Matthews account of the nativity 3 the page is illustrated with images of animals and people. 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 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. The book of kells was probably made at the monastery of iona at the end of the eighth century. The page called the chi rho page is another important page in the book of kells. In popular irish lore, cats had been created by god to restrict the mouse population on noahs ark, and in so doing protect the food required to sustain its passengers. When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think so.
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 book of kells, chirho or incarnation page kathy. Its fame rests not on the text the vulgate version of the gospels but from its absolutely. Medieval monks spent years copying elaborate manuscripts. The book of kells contains two other fullpage miniatures, which illustrate episodes from the passion story. There are cats, mice, butterflies, a moth, and an otter with a fish in his mouth.
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. Here are ten things you should know about this ancient masterpiece. View image of the most famous page is known as chi rho credit. This page is one particular illuminated page from the book of kells. Jun 01, 2017 the chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority of the page.
This volume today comprises 340 vellum leaves, or folios, now measuring 330 x 250 mm after being cropped in the eighteenth century for rebinding. The chirho is one of the earliest forms of christian symbols, formed by superimposing the first two capital letters of chi and rho, or x and p, from the greek word for christ. 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. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells elixir of knowledge. Kells dramatically fills up more than half the page, leaping like a giant acrobat over the small upright rho and iota below. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells elixir of. Dec 07, 2011 currently the book of kells is housed at trinity college in dublin ireland and seen by half a million visitors a year. Dec 05, 2010 this page is one particular illuminated page from the book of kells. For this reason it is called the incarnation page, and on it the monks used a traditional symbol for the word christthe first two letters of christ in greekchirho or xp. In insular gospel books, at the end of the genealogy of christ in matthew 1. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables it was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. The book of kells also known as the book of columba is an illuminated manuscript gospel book which is in latin and contains the four gospel of the new testament along with a variety of prefatory. It was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. The letters xpi are the greek abbreviation for the word christi or christ.
Chi and rho are two letters of the greek alphabet, the. The book of kells is inches wide and 10 inches high. Currently the book of kells is housed at trinity college in dublin ireland and seen by half a million visitors a year. The chi rho iota page from the book of kells includes all the following except. Even on the mostly text pages, it is more highly decorated than other gospel books and is brighter, with more reds and yellows. This intricate artwork depicts the christian symbol of the chirho. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. Find highquality book of kells stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r medium. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a.
This particular symbol is from the book of kells, made in an irish monastery. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page. This video is a quick introduction to the world famous book of kells and the chi rho page. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin of the four gospels of the new testament together with some extra texts and tables. 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 34 recto of the book of kells c. Both letters are divided into compartments which are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written as a p. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells chi rho two letters of the greek alphabet. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. The book of kells has a second chi rho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chi rho occurs at the beginning of matthew rather than midtext at matthew 1.
The shape occurs on other kells pages such as the chi rho page. The most famous of the pages in kells is the one at the top of this post. Chapter 10 arh 201 reading quiz flashcards quizlet. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the. Dec 16, 2014 the book of kells is now at the library of trinity college in dublin, and although its original covers and some pages are lost, 680 pages remain. The page dwells almost entirely on the name of christ, or rather on its traditional abbreviation into the chi rho symbol say it kairoe. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chirho page from the book of kells. Book in latin the book illuminated letters illuminated manuscript four gospels chi rho carolingian irish culture book of kells slim book of kells calendar 2020 this high quality slim wall calendar features a selection of pages from the world famous 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. Analysis of monogram page chi rho 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 illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for. The book of kells contains two other full page miniatures, which illustrate episodes from the passion story. The chi rho page is one of the most widely pictured of the illuminated pages in the book of kells. Aug 12, 2019 the book of kells also known as the book of columba is an illuminated manuscript gospel book which is in latin and contains the four gospel of the new testament along with a variety of prefatory. Since it is very faded and worn at spots, i colored. It is the chirho, a symbol still used in the roman catholic church, that symbolizes christs name as it is the first two letters of the word. Sometime between 807 and 814, in the wake of a series of devastating raids on the island sanctuary, the giant gospel of columkille, chief relic of the western world, was taken to the new headquarters of the columban community at kells. The most fascinating thing about the book of kells is that everything was done by hand with such precision and detail. See more ideas about book of kells, chi rho and celtic. Robertson davies the lively antics of cats, prowling, hunting and quietly sitting among the lines of the book of kells hold no very obvious religious symbolism.
One very special page is found in every gospel book. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chi rho page from the book of kells. With quills and ink of iron gall on folded vellum, monks in their cells labored in hives of stone. Apr 21, 2011 the book of kells was to be their masterwork.
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