Description
The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. The illustrations and ornamentation of the Book of Kells surpass that of other Insular Gospel books in extravagance and complexity.
The decoration combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours, enliven the manuscript’s pages.
Many of these minor decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism and so further emphasise the themes of the major illustrations. Featured here is Book of Kells Folio 34r, the Chi Rho page, expanding the first two letters of the word Christ.
