We had the privilege of going to Trinity College in Dublin to see the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript, meaning that the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration. Most of this decoration comes from elaborate initials and the usage of special inks, gold, and silver. The book dates back to around 800 AD. The exact date is unknown. This book contains the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Because only the Gospels are included as part of this book, we can understand the importance that early monasticism put on the Gospels as opposed to other Scripture. The Book of Kells is written in Latin and is said to be originally from a monastery on the island of Iona of Scotland and associated with St. Columcille. After a Viking raid, monks brought the book to a monastery in County Meath called Kells, thus giving it the name of the Book of Kells. The book now resides in Trinity and can be viewed within admission to the exhibit.
What makes this old manuscript so special is just how it was written. It is not merely a copy of the gospels, but instead it is a beautiful work of art. Each page is filled with design and color. Some pages have no words; they are instead full of beautiful depictions of stories or of their author. Some of these depictions include Christian iconography and insular art, a type of art produced in post-Roman history on the British Isles. Figures of humans, animals, and mythical creatures grace the pages of this beautiful work of art. The lively colors and vibrant illustrations make the Scriptures come alive, which was much the point of this book, as well as other works such as these. We can learn much about early monasticism and Celtic Christianity as a result of learning about this book. Much of the culture was dedicated to scholarship and evangelism. The monks who wrote this book were focused on learning more about Christ and his Word, but also outpouring what they learned onto others. This construction of the Book of Kells, as well as Celtic crosses and stained glass would come to be important tools for evangelism and the preservation of knowledge and religion.
While we learn much about the ancient culture of Ireland, we also gain insights into the effects such pieces of art such as the Book of Kells have had in the developing and modern-day country. During the time this book was written, the rest of Europe experienced the Dark Ages, where literacy and religion was disregarded. Because monks took the time to preserve Scripture in this way, they are very much responsible for the revival of religion in these countries. Without their dedication, Ireland and the rest of Europe may have formed differently in their modern religious and political contexts. Years after this book was written, Ireland experienced much religious turmoil, leading to religious divides. These divides shaped the course of history and formulated the present dynamics fostered within the country. The Book is Kells is very much valued by the Irish people, which mean they take pride in their cultural background and religious roots.
Personally, our initial reactions centered on the aesthetic effects the book had on those who entered its presence. The beautiful colors used and the detailed imagery produced was exquisite and like nothing we had seen before. We were overwhelmed with appreciation for the monks who wrote this book and dedicated to their lives to constructing it. To accomplish such a feat was incredible to us because of the time and effort that went into its creation. It encouraged us in our own faith and challenged us to reexamine our daily lives and how we sacrifice for the glory of Christ, just as the monks did in their denial of self and complete devotion to a life of selflessness.
What makes this old manuscript so special is just how it was written. It is not merely a copy of the gospels, but instead it is a beautiful work of art. Each page is filled with design and color. Some pages have no words; they are instead full of beautiful depictions of stories or of their author. Some of these depictions include Christian iconography and insular art, a type of art produced in post-Roman history on the British Isles. Figures of humans, animals, and mythical creatures grace the pages of this beautiful work of art. The lively colors and vibrant illustrations make the Scriptures come alive, which was much the point of this book, as well as other works such as these. We can learn much about early monasticism and Celtic Christianity as a result of learning about this book. Much of the culture was dedicated to scholarship and evangelism. The monks who wrote this book were focused on learning more about Christ and his Word, but also outpouring what they learned onto others. This construction of the Book of Kells, as well as Celtic crosses and stained glass would come to be important tools for evangelism and the preservation of knowledge and religion.
While we learn much about the ancient culture of Ireland, we also gain insights into the effects such pieces of art such as the Book of Kells have had in the developing and modern-day country. During the time this book was written, the rest of Europe experienced the Dark Ages, where literacy and religion was disregarded. Because monks took the time to preserve Scripture in this way, they are very much responsible for the revival of religion in these countries. Without their dedication, Ireland and the rest of Europe may have formed differently in their modern religious and political contexts. Years after this book was written, Ireland experienced much religious turmoil, leading to religious divides. These divides shaped the course of history and formulated the present dynamics fostered within the country. The Book is Kells is very much valued by the Irish people, which mean they take pride in their cultural background and religious roots.
Personally, our initial reactions centered on the aesthetic effects the book had on those who entered its presence. The beautiful colors used and the detailed imagery produced was exquisite and like nothing we had seen before. We were overwhelmed with appreciation for the monks who wrote this book and dedicated to their lives to constructing it. To accomplish such a feat was incredible to us because of the time and effort that went into its creation. It encouraged us in our own faith and challenged us to reexamine our daily lives and how we sacrifice for the glory of Christ, just as the monks did in their denial of self and complete devotion to a life of selflessness.