TheMadonna and ChildMiniature in the Book of Kells Part I

Abstract

In what form was the symbolic program which persuaded the painters of the Kells Gospels to create the images on folios 7v, 1r and 32V introduced to the British Isles? Precedents for the architectural Canon Tables, cruciform pages, enlarged initial pages and Evangelist portraits in the Book are found in Insular or Continental illumination.90 Of the narrative scenes, the Temptation may depend, perhaps indirectly, on Byzantine book illustration.91 With the Arrest92 (and the paintings originally planned and those that have been lost), it becomes part of a cycle of Gospel scenes. Since isolated Insular full-page historical illustrations created before the late eighth century exist,93 it is likely that Gospel Books with elaborate narrative cycles were circulating in the British Isles before the Book of Kells was begun. In any event, there can be little doubt that the Kells narrative miniatures were based on manuscript models. And there are indications that the symbolic pages were similarly inspired. Majestas il...