The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin

By Bernard Meehan

Book Overview

One of the most remarkable manuscripts to survive from the early Middle Ages in Europe, the Book of Kells was probably painted around 800 in a monastery at Iona in Scotland or Kells in Ireland, or... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0500277907
• ISBN13: 9780500277904
• Release Date: February 1995
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 7.5" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful Copy

I am so happy I purchased this book. I read the entire book in one sitting. I love the richness of color, the explanations, and insights. The shipment arrived well and earlier than I thought.

Illustrated manuscript for the monks in all of us

Get this to see some details in the ms, you won't see in other works that user poorer photos. Great for students of art, Celtic art, manuscript illumination (which sould be studied more) and art history. Or for your Celto-phile friend or loved one.

Excellent resource!

This is a great book for learning about illuminated texts. It has fantastic full color photos and lots of them!

The Book of Kells: informing and illuminating

The Book of Kells is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in existence. This booklet enables those of us who are unlikely to ever see the real manuscript to feast our eyes on many of the illustrations as well as to learn a little of its history and preparation. Most of the illustrations are in colour and their vibrancy is still apparent across 12 centuries. I consider that this booklet is worth acquiring for the illustrations alone. It also contains a lot of useful information for those interested in the physical preparation of such manuscripts as well as the underlying historical significance of this particular manuscript. Highly recommended. Jennifer Cameron-Smith

"The most precious object in the western world"

Resting at Trinity College Dublin is one of the truly singular products of early European art. This is 'The Book of Kells,' an ornately illuminated rendition of the four gospels, rendered sometime in the Ninth Century. It has been both an influence and an inspiration since the time of its making, illustrating both the story it tells, and the subtle mind of symbolists who wove the story and the art together.One of the key problems the student of illustrated art suffers in any attempt to study 'The Book of Kells' is the simple matter of access. I believe that the replica edition of the book cost nearly $20,000 when it was published, and most other resources limit themselves to only the most famous of the pages. Only a few detailed studies exist, and this one, written by Bernard Meehan (Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College), is one of the best, both in terms of quality and quantity of reproduction as well as a literate and thorough discussion.Meehan covers the book's history, influences and parallels, the decorative scheme, and many of the decorative themes used by the illuminators. He also spends time on the more technical aspects of ink and paper. He does this in a pleasant, straightforward yet academically thorough style that is often a fount of information. Where he does not go himself, he provides indications of other possibilities for research and thought. Meehan's agenda is simply to present one of the wonders of human creativity for all to see and enjoy, and he succeeds admirably.