The book of kells, chirho or incarnation page kathy. Below are 21 incredible images from this beautiful and mysterious book. Since it is very faded and worn at spots, i colored. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. 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. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page. Chi and rho are two letters of the greek alphabet, the. This video is a quick introduction to the world famous book of kells and the chi rho page. 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 chi rho iota page from the book of kells includes all of the follwing except. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else.
Let the art of the book of kells inspire your musings in these 128 page journals. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chi rho iota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells. Find highquality book of kells stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. The most famous of the pages in kells is the one at the top of this post. Kells dramatically fills up more than half the page, leaping like a giant acrobat over the small upright rho and iota below. The most fascinating thing about the book of kells is that everything was done by hand with such precision and detail. 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 chi rho xp page by bruno coulais brendan and the secret of kells the chi rho xp page by bruno coulais brendan and the secret of kells. The book of columba first, i should indicate that the book of kells is also called the book of columba, which presupposes that there was a columba. Book of kells illumination of the chi rho page poster. This intricate artwork depicts the christian symbol of the chi rho. Chi and rho are the first two letters of the word christ in greek.
The chi rho monogram from the book of kells elixir of. 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 book of kells has a second chirho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chirho occurs at the beginning of matthew rather than midtext at matthew 1. This is the chi rho page folio 34r from book of kells showing the initials of. The page dwells almost entirely on the name of christ, or rather on its traditional abbreviation into the chi rho symbol say it kairoe. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described in a famous passage seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells.
The chi rho 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 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. The chi rho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ. Product information product dimensions 36 x 24 x 36 inches item weight 12 ounces shipping weight 1 pounds view. Book of kells illumination of the chi rho page is that perfect piece that matches your style, interests, and budget. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ in ancient greek. For those who know that the chi rho is the christogram for jesus christ and the book of kells is the gospel that turns darkness into light, the secret of kells is a triumphant story, much like the book of eli without the violence. Plate lx from the book of kells book of kells, celtic.
They were used universally as a shorthand for writing christs name, and the abbreviation is used throughout the book of kells. View image of the most famous page is known as chi rho credit. The latin verse begins christi autem generatio sic. Even on the mostly text pages, it is more highly decorated than other gospel books and is brighter, with more reds and yellows. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written as a p. It is believed that preceding each of the four gospels, there was once a portrait of the corresponding evangelist as well as a page that depicted all four evangelist symbols, but unfortunately some of these have been lost. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells published in features, issue 3 mayjune20, medieval history pre1500, vikings, volume 21 it has been suggested that this chi rho initial, with its dazzling range of colour and intricate patterns, would have taken months, perhaps even a. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells chi rho two letters of the greek alphabet. A masterpiece of medieval calligraphy and artistry, the book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of. This page is one particular illuminated page from the book of kells. 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. The book of kells glory of glories the most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ.
The book of kells seldom comes to view in the historical record. Colour of green green for the vine for the leaves and the branches the tree of life colour of red red for the wounds that are deeper than i can know how deep the flow. Chi rho page folio 34r book of kells chi rho page folio 34r books of kells c. This page occurs in many other insular manuscripts, but they cannot compare to the intricate decoration of 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.
Chi rho iota page from the book of kells, matthew illuminated manuscripts brought medieval art out of the dark ages a page from the book of kells a latin illuminated manuscript widely considered irelands finest national treasure 800 ad. This page has become known as the chi rho monogram page. 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 book of kells is often called the most beautiful book in the world. 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 is the name of christ abbreviated in greek form. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. The book of kells glory of glories the most famous page is known as chi rho. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the. The site for celtic studies, and the medieval celtic studies blog scela. Two of the evangelist portraits in the book of kells have survived, one representing matthew, seen below, and one john.
The book of kells exhibition also helped explain some of the symbolism in the book. 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. Chapter 10 arh 201 reading quiz flashcards quizlet. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r. 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. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chi rho page from the book of kells. The letters xpi are the greek abbreviation for the word christi or christ. A small number of these manuscripts survive today along with the book of kells including the book of durrow, the durham gospels and the book of lindisfarne but it is the book of kells that contains the largest variety of styles and imagery. The book of kells, painstakingly crafted by medieval monks, has been an inspiration both spiritual and artistic for centuries. Soerfm public domain and the whole of the book of kells was surely a product of much hard labor, dedication, and tedious transcription that was done by the monks. I appreciated the display that explained the most celebrated page which is called chi rho. It makes the wonderful point that we are not just to guard the bible but live by it and give it to others.
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 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 has a second chirho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chirho occurs at the. The chi rho iota page from the book of kells includes all the following except. Dear readers, i am forwarding a little more information on the book of kells. Throughout the book of kells, there are very few names that are abbreviated.