The Book of Kells is a spectacular group of manuscripts created in Ireland and northern Britain between the 7th and 10th centuries, a period when Irish monasticism was in the vanguard of Christian culture. Its earliest history remains controversial, but it was in the keeping of the monastery of Kells, Co. Meath, for most of the Middle Ages - hence its name - and has been in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, since the mid-17th century.
The Book of Kells', dating from about 800, is a brilliantly decorated manuscript of the four Gospels. This new official guide, by the former Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College Library, Dublin, provides fascinating insights into the Book of Kells, revealing the astounding detail and richness of one of the greatest works of medieval art. The illustrations in the guide include reproductions of complete pages, and details that allow one to marvel at the intricacy of the decoration. The Book of Kells is explored through its historical background; its structure; its decorative elements, including the richness of its symbols and themes; the scribes and artists who worked on the manuscript; and the tools and pigments used in its creation
An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin
The Book of Kells is a masterpiece of medieval art - a brilliantly decorated copy of the four Gospels with full-page depictions of Christ, the Virgin and the Evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative painting that does not always relate to the sacred text.