Carpet Page From Lindisfarne Gospels

In front of each of these four books is an extraordinary page typically referred to as a carpet page.

Carpet page from lindisfarne gospels. 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. 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. 793 ce vikings pillaged the monastery but the monks were able to keep the lindisfarne gospels safe. Matthew folio 26 verso of the lindisfarne gospels from northumbria england c.

Essay by louisa woodville. Google classroom facebook twitter. Each carpet page contains a different form of cross stressing the different church traditions and their ecumenical relationship. The copying and decoration of the lindisfarne gospels represent a remarkable artistic achievement.

Lindisfarne island off the coast of northumberland in england. 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. Standard scenes from the life of christ in art. Carpet page posted on december 14 2015 by mrsbowman1 cross and carpet page for st.

Christianity an introduction for the study of art history. Lindisfarne gospels cross carpet page. Insular cross carpet pages were inspired by contemporary metalwork and oriental rugs. Produced in the british isles between 500 900 ce.

Made in italy. Four of the carpet pages appear alongside incipit pages that mark the beginning of each gospel. The lindisfarne gospels begins with a carpet page in the form of a cross and a major initial page introducing the letter of st. Medieval art in europe.

Time of social upheaval and devastation invasions. The book includes five highly elaborate full page carpet pages so called because of their resemblance to carpets from the eastern mediterranean. Introduction to the middle ages. Detailed entwined decorations with the shape of a cross.

Jerome and pope damasus i. In the lindisfarne gospels the carpet pages play a similar role preparing the reader for the the gospel message. There are sixteen pages of arcaded canon tables where parallel passages of the four evangelists are laid out.