Durrow church, rachel moss, 2017, from the collection of. Mark instead of the traditional lion, a calf for luke, but a lion for john instead of. At one time there was almost certainly enough vellum at the inner. In 2000 plans consisting of a hotel, conference centre, leisure and equestrian complex, 461 residential units and a golf course were proposed to be built on the grounds of durrow abbey. Ad650700 and is one of the earliest intact gospel books to survive in western europe. Saint gregory of tours 538594 ce, and saint john cassian 360435. The book of durrow to be displayed at the british library medieval. John in the book of durrow john gets his eagle later up north, after ca. Gospel icons a highly decorative depiction of an evangelist matthew, mark, luke, or john. The book of durrow is an illuminated transcript that was originally from either ireland or northumbria in england. Each gospel begins with an evangelist s symbol a man for matthew, an eagle for mark not the lion traditionally used, a calf for luke and a lion for john not the eagle traditionally used. The book of durrow is the oldest illuminated gospel manuscript of the insular art tradition.
It is the oldest illustrated manuscript in ireland. Book of durrow this design is based on a carpet page from the book of durrow, a 7th century celtic manuscript created at durrow monastery in county offaly, ireland. John carpet page, of the book of durrow, probably from iona, scotland, ca. The pagan art forms are seen in the interlacing and dense patterning of red and green diamond shapes in saint john s lion. Exploring meditatio and memoria in ireland through the book. The book of durrow is a medieval illuminated manuscript gospel book in the insular script style.
Lowe is a descendant of the odonnells of donegal, who are part of the family of st columba st columba founded durrow in 553 o 556ad. The text includes the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john, plus several pieces of. Predated only by the cathach of st columba, the book of durrow is a gospel. The contrast of the interlacing decorations celtic irish. The book of durrow is an illuminated manuscript in which christian art is used with pagan interlace, as seen in this depiction of saint john the evangelist. Luke and st john with later corrections and annotations and a colophon. Lion symbol of saint john, from the book of durrow vs. Today, we are delighted to announce that the book of durrow will be on.
Observe the interlacing bands characteristic of insular art. The design features a central cross and three circles, perhaps symbolizing the trinity, amongst celtic knotwork. Estimated to have been created in the 7th century c. Lion symbol of saint john, from the book of durrow. The carpet page preceding the gospel of st john from the book of. It is a gospel book containing the four gospels matthew, mark, luke, john together with the canon tables and some prefatory pages. The contents are the novum opus, eusebian canon tables, breves causae, argumenta, the gospels of st. Book of durrow, 7th century with images medieval art, medieval. The book of durrow the library of trinity college dublin. Early christian manuscript art lindisfarne gospels carpet page. Predated only by the cathach of st columba, the book of durrow is a gospel manuscript named after the monastery of durrow, a foundation of saint columba near tullamore in central ireland. This probably relates to the belief that colum cille saint columba had created the book, and its date and authenticity is unclear. The book of durrow is unusual in that it does not use the traditional scheme, usual since saint jerome, for assigning the symbols to the evangelists.
1011 698 90 373 627 1384 172 578 1237 1106 50 1477 989 1481 156 664 332 9 158 216 441 670 120 518 427 1233 632 105 36 1212 850 196