Lindisfarne Gospels Cross Page Carpet Page

Produced in the british isles between 500 900 ce.

Lindisfarne gospels cross page carpet page.

Lindisfarne gospels cross carpet page. A dense interplay of stacked birds teem underneath the crosses of the carpet page that opens john s gospel. 793 ce vikings pillaged the monastery but the monks were able to keep the lindisfarne gospels safe. Time of social upheaval and devastation invasions.

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. Jerome and pope damasus i. This ornate page inscribed by northumbrian monks on the island of lindisfarne is a prime example of the overlap of christian and pagan imagery in northwestern europe. Here a cross is decorated with the animal interlace pattern characteristic of pagan cultures.

The copying and decoration of the lindisfarne gospels represent a remarkable artistic achievement. Matthew cross carpet page exemplify migration period patterns which are most like. Lindisfarne gospels john s cross carpet page folio 210v. A mesmerizing series of repetitive knots and spirals is dominated by a centrally located cross.

Lindisfarne island off the coast of northumberland in england. Lindisfarne gospels st matthew cross carpet page f 26v british library matthew s cross carpet page exemplifies eadfrith s exuberance and genius. The patterns in the lindisfarne gospels. Insular cross carpet pages were inspired by contemporary metalwork and oriental rugs.

The lindisfarne gospels is a manuscript that contains the gospels of the four evangelists mark john luke and matthew. The book includes five highly elaborate full page carpet pages so called because of their resemblance to carpets from the eastern mediterranean. 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.

One bird situated in the upper left hand quadrant has blue and pink stripes in contrast to others that sport registers of feathers. Made in italy.