Carpet Page From Lindisfarne Gospels

Similar pages can be found in coptic christian manuscripts and it is possible that this decorative tradition came to ireland with monks who came from or spent time in egypt.

Carpet page from lindisfarne gospels.

In front of each of these four books is an extraordinary page typically referred to as a carpet page. The copying and decoration of the lindisfarne gospels represent a remarkable artistic achievement. Google classroom facebook twitter. Lindisfarne island off the coast of northumberland in england.

Christianity an introduction for the study of art history. They are pages of mainly geometrical ornamentation which may include repeated animal forms typically placed at the beginning of each of the four gospels in gospel books. A carpet page from the lindisfarne gospels carpet pages are a characteristic feature of insular illuminated manuscripts. Standard scenes from the life of christ in art.

Matthew folio 26 verso of the lindisfarne gospels from northumbria england c. There are sixteen pages of arcaded canon tables where parallel passages of the four evangelists are laid out. Made in italy. The book includes five highly elaborate full page carpet pages so called because of their resemblance to carpets from the eastern mediterranean.

Kathleen yes this is an extraordinary copy of the four gospels so the accounts of jesus life and teaching written by his disciples and followers matthew mark luke and john. Jerome and pope damasus i. The lindisfarne gospels is a manuscript that contains the gospels of the four evangelists mark john luke and matthew. Lindisfarne gospels john cross carpet page f 210v british library the book is a spectacular example of insular or hiberno saxon art works produced in the british isles between 500 900 c e a time of devastating invasions and political upheavals.

Insular cross carpet pages were inspired by contemporary metalwork and oriental rugs. Introduction to the middle ages. The lindisfarne gospels begins with a carpet page in the form of a cross and a major initial page introducing the letter of st. Lindisfarne gospels cross carpet page.

Time of social upheaval and devastation invasions. In the lindisfarne gospels the carpet pages play a similar role preparing the reader for the the gospel message. Each carpet page contains a different form of cross stressing the different church traditions and their ecumenical relationship. Detailed entwined decorations with the shape of a cross.

Essay by louisa woodville. 793 ce vikings pillaged the monastery but the monks were able to keep the lindisfarne gospels safe. Four of the carpet pages appear alongside incipit pages that mark the beginning of each gospel.