Lindisfarne Carpet Page

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Lindisfarne carpet page.

In the lindisfarne gospels the carpet pages play a similar role preparing the reader for the the gospel message. The lindisfarne gospels is one of the most important books in the history of the english language and culture. The book of lindisfarne opens with one of five elaborate full page decorative carpet pages cruciform geometric designs reminiscent of eastern hand made rugs. Each carpet page contains a different form of cross stressing the different church traditions and their ecumenical relationship.

The bayeux tapestry seven ages of britain bbc one. 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. Carpet pages have been described as virtual prayer rugs intended to help create a contemplative state. A carpet page from the lindisfarne gospels carpet pages are a characteristic feature of insular illuminated manuscripts.

Jerome and pope damasus i. Each of the four gospels included in the manuscript begins with a so called carpet page displaying an intricate and colorful pattern followed by a so called incipit page where the first letters of the gospel are beautifully drawn. The lindisfarne gospels begins with a carpet page in the form of a cross and a major initial page introducing the letter of st. A dense interplay of stacked birds teem underneath the crosses of the carpet page that opens john s gospel.

One bird situated in the upper left hand quadrant has blue and pink stripes in contrast to others that sport registers of feathers. The book includes five highly elaborate full page carpet pages so called because of their resemblance to carpets from the eastern mediterranean. Church and reliquary of sainte foy france. Four of the carpet pages appear alongside incipit pages that mark the beginning of each gospel.

This is the currently selected item. In front of each of these four books is an extraordinary page typically referred to as a carpet page. 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. There are sixteen pages of arcaded canon tables where parallel passages of the four evangelists are laid out.

The copying and decoration of the lindisfarne gospels represent a remarkable artistic achievement. Detailed entwined decorations with the shape of a cross.