Insular Art: Details of Anglo-Irish Manuscript Illumination
Early Medieval Church Architecture
St. Apollinare in Classe Example
In St. Apollinare in Classe, an example of a cancel is preserved. A plate-inserted cancel, typically 60cm to 1m high, featuring decorative elements, was used to secure it to the altar area. It might have been draped with curtains.
Cancel and Iconostasis
A cancel is generally a low structure, around 0.5m to 1m high, separating the sanctuary. An iconostasis is similar but often encloses the space more fully, leaving only doorways. The panels of cancels often feature decorative motifs, such as vine shoots. The carving style is frequently flat rather than deeply cut, with motifs appearing almost like cut-outs. Epigraphic elements, sometimes enclosed in brackets, are outlined—a style common in the East.
Anglo-Irish Manuscript Illumination
Intense monastic life in the British Isles encouraged the development of manuscript illustration. Multiple copies of the Gospels were produced in monastic writing rooms known as scriptoria. These texts were created as authentic codices (structured leaves bound like books), unlike the scrolls common in the 3rd or 4th centuries. The support material was animal skin (parchment), and alongside the writing, they featured marginal illustrations, pictorial decorations, or full-page inserts.
Distinct Styles
Two distinct styles emerged:
- Indigenous Style: Characterized by intricate intertwined zoomorphic (animal-like) and geometric figures.
- Humanist Style: Shows stronger links with continental Europe, featuring more realistic representations.
Indigenous Style Examples
Durham Gospels (7th Century)
Among the oldest examples are the Durham Gospels, originating from the cathedral of the same name. Although only a fragment remains, it depicts the Crucifixion with Christ at the center and angels at the sides. It features interlocking geometric ornamentation typical of the Anglo-Irish style.
Book of Durrow (c. 650-700)
The Book of Durrow displays motifs very similar to those found on gold items from the Sutton Hoo burial; for instance, helmet plates from Sutton Hoo share border motifs found in this manuscript. Various decorative motifs are used:
- Checkerboard patterns
- Spirals
- Pelta shapes
- Celtic trumpet spirals
- Angular interlace
- Interlaced foliage
- Frets
It is characterized by a limited color palette: primarily red-orange, green, and yellow. In this manuscript, the symbols of the Evangelists (Tetramorphs) are depicted on a single page in a highly stylized, non-naturalistic manner.
Carpet Pages
These are full pages decorated entirely with intricate interlacing geometric or zoomorphic motifs, without any text. Their primary purpose seems to be aesthetic decoration.
Large Initial Letters
Large initial letters often required the subsequent text to be rearranged or adapted to fit the page layout, showcasing advanced calligraphy and design integration.
Echternach Gospels (c. 700)
Housed in Paris, the Echternach Gospels also originate from a prominent scriptorium. Its style is simpler and less ornate than the Book of Durrow, representing a distinct variation. It also features Tetramorphs, with predominant colors including purple, red, orange, and yellow. Overall, it is less elaborate.
Humanist Style Example
Lindisfarne Gospels (Late 6th – Early 7th Century)
Held in the British Museum, the Lindisfarne Gospels were authored by Eadfrith, who later became Bishop of Lindisfarne, succeeding St. Cuthbert. Æthelwald bound it, and Billfrith the Anchorite adorned the binding with gold. The work showcases a fusion of Germanic, Mediterranean, and Celtic influences and was dedicated to St. Cuthbert, as mentioned in its colophon.
Generally, the style is more naturalistic, possibly inspired by Mediterranean or Byzantine models. It also contains carpet pages and utilizes a decorative repertoire similar in some ways to the Book of Durrow. Furthermore, it features Canon Tables arranged under ornate arches supported by columns, sometimes incorporating friezes with intertwined bird motifs in a ribbon style. These appear within the Gospel text.