A Golden Age

In Ireland, the golden age for illuminated manuscripts extended from AD 650 to 800. This is true also in the many countries to which Irish scholars, scribes and artistic craftsmen brought their manuscripts and their scholarship. There were Irish monastic or religious foundations in many centres throughout the world, such as, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden and even Russia. Thus, we can discover a ‘greater Ireland’ of culture and religious tradition beyond the shores of Ireland itself.

Origins

The Book of Lindisfarne is a Latin gospel book. It was illuminated on Holy island, off the coast of Northumbria, England, by Bishop Eadfrith (d.721) of Lindisfarne. The book was completed by his monastic brethren, Aethilwold, who made the binding, and Billfrith, who was responsible for the bejewelled casing but which unfortunately was lost, possibly during Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries during the 16th century.

A Cultural Compost

The Book of Lindisfarne is the product of a combination of diverse styles and influence. It was created during a restless time when great shifts in world history were taking place, and different cultures were melting into eachother creating new identities. Thus, we can see evidence of the fusion of different styles: Celtic, English, continental and Egyptian. Swirling peltas, trumpet spirals and display of a playful imagination show the influence of the Celts;  interlace patterns were derived from Roman mosaic pavements and the brooches brought to England by the Anglo-Saxons;  portraits of the different evangelists were derived from Italian and Byzantine models; and richly decorated carpet pages were inspired by intricate Coptic work produced in the monasteries of Egypt.

Lindisfarne v. Kells

Compared to the later Book of Kells, the Book of Lindisfarne is less densely illustrated, but its best pages have an elegance that is unrivalled. The great initial letter pages are majestic and the 'carpet' pages are intricate in design, filled with animal interlacing. There is a wide range of colours used, many with two tones each, and the portraiture is treated more realistically than in the Books of Durrow and Kells.

A Remarkable Cultural Achievment

The monks who produced the Lindisfarne Gospels performed a sustained feat of spiritual and physical endurance and provided us a landmark of remarkable cultural achievment. It is on display in the British Library.