The Gospel of Saint Mark, in the Book of Durrow. 7th century. Trinity College Library, Dublin (MS A. 4. 5. (57)). Anonymous [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsThe Book of Durrow has always been fascinating to me, probably because it was the first medieval manuscript I studied in college. The Book of Durrow is stylistically related to the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels, both of which I’ve previously discussed, but the Book of Durrow pre-dates the other two. In fact, it is the earliest-known surviving example of an insular (of the British Isles) Gothic manuscript to be completely decorated (1).
A carpet page from the Book of Durrow. 7th century. Trinity College Library, Dublin (MS A. 4. 5. (57)). By Meister des Book of Durrow [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.In other words, all of the elaborate interlace, massive initials, and gilt decoration we’ve been admiring in other early illuminated manuscripts are the children and grand-children of the Book of Durrow. In my opinion, the family relationship between the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells can be seen quite clearly, as can the development of the style from one to the other. Durrow is the first known manuscript to include illustrations of the four Evangelists’ symbols, a feature we have seen survive in various forms for centuries. (2)
Saint Matthew from the Book of Durrow. 7th century. Trinity College Library, Dublin (MS A. 4. 5. (57)). By Meister des Book of Durrow [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsSources: (1) Bernard Meehan, quoted by the University of North Carolina’s page “Dublin, Trinity College MS A.4.5 (57) – Gospel Book (Book of Durrow)”. (2) Robert Calkins, quoted in ibid.
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Alexandra Kiely, aka A Scholarly Skater, is an art historian based in the northeastern United States. She loves wandering down the dark and dusty corners of art history and wholeheartedly believes in visual art's ability to enrich every person's life.
Her favorite periods of art history are 19th-century American painting and medieval European art and architecture. When she not looking at, reading about, writing about, or teaching art, she's probably ice dancing or reading.
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