Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Painting: Book Illumination in the British Isles, 600-800 [Paperback]

This book features forty eight color plates that are reproduced in high quality paper from original manuscripts from the seventh and centuries. The author, Carl Nordenfalk, provides a historical background and commentry on each of the plates. The author 's style of writing lends itself well to one not overly knowledgeable of the subject matter. The manuscripts are taken from the Gospel Books which were richly ornate, having almost talismanic qualities having been produced in the native art style of the Celts and Anglo- Saxons as the Christian missionaries were proselytizing in the Bristish Isles. Most of the manuscripts come from the Book of Lindisfarne, the Book of Durrow and the Book of Kells. The manuscripts feature portraits of various Christian messengers such as Saint Luke, Saint John, Saint Chad and biblical figures such as King David, Madonna and Christ. There are also pages of the written word from the various gospels shown in the rich decorative style of the Celts. The looping interlocked letters and motiffs are an amazing contribution to civilization that everyone can enjoy from these ancient, partialy intact codex. The symbols and strange animation create symetrical patterns that are highly imaginative and will astound the viewer with it's complex primitivism. The intrinsic beauty and composition is sometimes in stark contrast to the flatness of the figures. You can literally get lost in the patterns, there are endless oblong patterns of scrollwork, tied together by knots, interwoven and intertwined animals stretching out and connecting to fancy letters or other motiffs that will dazzle your senses. This is a great book to gaze upon and reassure yourself of the beautiful beyond that has inspired many centuries of art work. The book also provides a complete list of color and black and white plates and a selected bibliography for future reference. This is a great book to look at anytime, especially in those tranquil moments of peace and reflection. Recommended for anyone interested in book illumination, Christian art and the similarities between Celtic art from this period and Byzantine and Italian art and the inspiration of the Gospel.

In a review by "The Old Philosopher" above he states that he doesn't find this books covers the classic Celtic art. Probably that';s because the title includes the words "Illumunated manuscripts" in it.

This book is more of an overview of several books than focused on one in particular, but still nice for the plates and a good sampler if you're not sure what to get. The title of this book is not misleading if you know anything about the history of Celtic art and it's later years in illumination, from my experience as a reviewer for the British Museum's publications and having worked in Ireland on archaeology digs as their sketch artist. ;-) During the Christian era of Celtic art they did have many influences of Coptic, Greek, Norse, *and* Persian design, especially in the Book of Kells. The Irish monks did quite a lot of travel during the dark ages to promote learning, and the monastaries in Ireland had students from countries all over the world, hence a good influx of other ideas which they of course fused into their own (masters of adaptation!). "The Old Philosopher"'s desire for Ogham to be used in the manuscripts is very far off... the latin uncial used in the manuscripts is standard for the period, as the ancients Celts (pre-Christianity) didn't have books per sae, only a sort of "runic" writing system of slashes used on staves and stone. They *had* no manuscripts so expecting to see Ogham in a manuscipt would be ridiculous! I think "The Old Philosopher" misunderstands the period of Celtic history these books were created in, as the title is certainly reflective for the period listed. If you enjoy Celtic manuscripts such as the Book of Kells or Lindisfarne Gospels this will be a nice overview of some of the different evolutionary flavors the artwork went through. If you want more information on Celtic art then any book by Ruth and Vincent Megaw (such as "Celtic Art", available from Amazon as well) will cover the early periods (typically only up to the Christian era, or briefly entering the Christian era), and then any book published on the old manuscritps such as the Book of Durrow, Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Book of Kells are great. This book is more an overview of a bunch of books, so good for starting out your manuscript collection.