It was made in ireland, or possibly england, about ad800, by monks belonging to the columban movement. The letter chi dominates the page with one arm swooping across the majority of the page. Nov 22, 2019 the book of kells contains the chi rho monogram. 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. Book of durrow is on its way to the british library.
Following the rebellion of 1641, the church at kells lay in ruins, and around 1653 the book was sent to dublin by the governor of kells, charles lambert, earl of cavan, in the interests of its safety. Dear readers, i am forwarding a little more information on the book of kells. They were used universally as a shorthand for writing christs name, and the abbreviation is used throughout the book of kells. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four christian gospels. Most of this was filmed around the reed marshes at snape, suffolk close to the home of the british composer benjamin britten and features. The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells elixir of knowledge. Chi and rho are the first two letters of the word christ in greek. It has survived long enough for the to expire and the book to enter the public domain. Apr 21, 2011 the book of kells features a latin version of the four gospels and highly ornate drawings of the apostles and other biblical figures that resemble stainedglass window images. It is probable that the illumination was begun in the late 8th century at the irish monastery on the scottish island of iona and that after a viking raid the. When it is the most beautiful page of the most beautiful book in history, i think so. 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.
Leabhar cheanannais dublin, trinity college library, ms a. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio 34 recto of the book of kells c. Matthews account of the nativity 3 the page is illustrated with images of animals and people. Chi rho book of kells promotional video1992 youtube. There is no better example from the book of kells that portrays these words of art historians better than the chirho monogram page. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ in ancient greek credit. In the book of kells, the chi rho monogram has grown to consume the entire page. If an item is subject to sales tax, in accordance with state tax laws, the tax is generally calculated on the total selling price of each individual item, including shipping and handling charges, giftwrap charges and. The book of kells is so precious, in the 1980s a swiss publisher developed a way to copy the book so well to make it suspended in air and the pages were turned by air, never touched. Reproductions from the manuscript in trinity college, dublin. One such example of an isolated description can be found in a recent edition of gardners art through the ages, which discusses the chirhoiota xpi page, folio.
Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona. In insular gospel books, the initial chi rho monogram. See more ideas about book of kells, celtic art and illuminated manuscript. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript, sometimes known as the book of columba, held in the trinity college library, dublin. Sometime between 807 and 814, in the wake of a series of devastating raids on the island sanctuary, the giant gospel of columkille.
As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chirho page from the book of kells. The letter rho is snuggled underneath the arms of the chi. The chi rho page in the book of kells is perhaps the most elaborate and enigmatic illumination in the manuscript. Both letters are divided into compartments which are lavishly decorated with knot work and other patterns. The book of kells, chirho or incarnation page kathy, the. It was created by celtic monks about 800 ad or slightly earlier. The chi rho page in the book of kells by suzanne lewis the book of kells was probably made at the monastery of iona at the end of the eighth century. 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 year, to complete. The chirho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ. The chi rho page consists of the greek letters chi and rho that were used in medieval times to abbreviate the word christ. There is no better example from the book of kells that portrays these words of art historians better than the chi rho monogram page. Nov 05, 2015 10 things you should know about the book of kells, or book of columba erika harlitzkern nov 5, 2015 arguably the most famous artifact on display in dublin is the book of kells also known as the book of columba at trinity college.
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. The book of kells has a second chi rho abbreviation on folio 124 in the account of the crucifixion of christ, and in some manuscripts the chi rho occurs at the beginning of matthew rather than midtext at matthew 1. The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r medium. 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.
At the bottom on the left, we find two mice playing with what many identify as a eucharistic host. These relics included the two gospels, one of them probably the book of kells, the other perhaps the book of durrow. Chi rho first two letter of greek name for christ messiahanointed one love of nature and loves faith are combined in the vision for the book of kells compellingly illustrated by the film we viewed. From that process, a limited edition of 1480 copies of the printed kells were made. The most famous page is known as chi rho, which are the first letters of the word christ in ancient greek.
Feb 14, 2010 iona ch rho book of kells promotional video1992. Puzzles by shigella book of kells jigsaw puzzle album. This is a fullpage image of christ holding a gospel book. Dec 16, 2014 for this reason it is called the incarnation page, and on it the monks used a traditional symbol for the word christthe first two letters of christ in greekchirho or xp. The greek letters chi and rho were normally used in medieval manuscripts to abbreviate the word christ. 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. Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. As part of our discussion of the book of kells, we will contemplate the famous chi rho page from the book of kells. Lets look at how the monkartists of the book of kells beautifully illuminated the pivotal moment in history when god took on human flesh and came to earth to dwell. 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. Matthew, following the book of generation, which gives the genealogy of jesus christ, there is a highly decorated which contains a large x, a smaller p, and a smaller i. 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 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.
You can view an online photo of the colored chi rho at. 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 chirho initial, with its dazzling range of colour and intricate patterns, would have taken months, perhaps even a. This smaller, lesserknown manuscript is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship in its own right and is destined for the british library as part. This particular symbol is from the book of kells, made in an irish monastery. Before the book of kells, there was the book of durrow. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written. The chi rho iota page from the book of kells includes all of the follwing except. The book was created about 800 by irish monks in the. The book of kells was probably made at the monastery of iona at the end of the eighth. 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, arguably the finest of all illuminated manuscripts of the middle ages and famous for the intricate swirling patterns of its celtic art.
The chi rho monogram from the book of kells rajkumar r. The page is rich in multilayered symbolism intended to engage its monastic audience with a range of eucharistic and christological themes. The word made flesh click here for a smaller 72 dpi image. The work is the most famous of the medieval illuminated manuscripts for the intricacy, detail, and majesty of the illustrations. A chi rho is formed by overlapping the first two letters of the greek word for christ. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels, created around 800 a. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells. An illustrated introduction to the manuscript in trinity college dublin. Trinity college library, dublin that is a masterpiece of the ornate hibernosaxon style. Chi is written as an x while rho is roughly written as a p.