The Book of Kells : An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin (1994)

by Bernard Meehan

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The Book of Kells, dating from about 800 CE, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four Gospels. This official guide by the former Keeper of Manuscripts at the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, where the Book of Kells is on permanent display, provides fascinating insights into one of the greatest surviving examples of medieval art. The illustrations in this guide include striking reproductions of complete pages, and details that reveal the astounding intricacy and richness of the decoration. The Book of Kells is explored through its historical background; its structure; its decorative elements, including its use of symbols and themes; the scribes and artists who worked on the manuscript; and the tools and pigments used in its creation.… (more)

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This is quite possibly the most beautiful book I've ever read. It's certainly the only one I've read with a magnifying glass handy to make sure I didn't miss any of the details.

I have seen the Book of Kells personally, but nothing prepares you for the wealth of fascinating detail that Bernard Meehan reveals in his erudite discussion of the book. He goes into its history, structure, script, illustrations, symbolism, authorship, physical structure and a whole lot more. Meehan highlights fine aspects of the illustrations that the untrained eye would never see, they are so tiny. The artistry and calligraphy he describes are breath-taking and engender awe for what these scribes and artists were capable of more than 1200 years ago. (

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gjky | Apr 9, 2023 |

This was a difficult book to read at first. Then I got the hang of the abbreviations and citations and it became clearer. I am in awe of the Kells. The artistry, the colors, the intricacy, the mystery of the kells is enticing. You can look at them for hours and see something new every moment. The are the "work, not of men, but of angels." (

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bcrowl399 | Oct 9, 2018 |

A quick but academic read about the illuminated manuscripts copied by monks in ancient Ireland. Luckily it is heavily illustrated to avoid my head spinning from the frequent use of language specific to the trade of manuscript studies (

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Othemts | Jun 25, 2008 |

Good general introduction to the book and its history. Shows a few of the less common folios and gives some detail close ups. 117 illustrations, 110 in color. (

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sprowett | May 3, 2008 |

The Book of Kells: possibly the pinnacle of medieval artistic achievement. This book provides a great introduction to the manuscript and its pictures are almost entirely in color. (

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clairabella09 | Aug 26, 2006 |

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Canonical title

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

Original title

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

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1994

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Lindisfarne, Northumberland, England, UK

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The Book of Kells, dating from about 800 CE, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four Gospels. This official guide by the former Keeper of Manuscripts at the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, where the Book of Kells is on permanent display, provides fascinating insights into one of the greatest surviving examples of medieval art. The illustrations in this guide include striking reproductions of complete pages, and details that reveal the astounding intricacy and richness of the decoration. The Book of Kells is explored through its historical background; its structure; its decorative elements, including its use of symbols and themes; the scribes and artists who worked on the manuscript; and the tools and pigments used in its creation.

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