Some aesthetic principles in the use of colour in Anglo-Saxon art
Jonathan Alexánder
In a paper in Anglo-Saxon England 3 N. F. Barley has drawn attention to the richness of colour vocabulary, which, he suggests, emphasized light–dark axis perception greater degree than does our own, which hue is differentiated and then qualified adjectivally, pale, dark, etc. It interesting examine actual artifacts with his observations mind. The main sources for knowledge Anglo-Saxons' use are illuminated manuscripts earliest surviving seventh century. We have only one small fragment wall-painting, recently discovered mural at Winchester datable c. 900. There considerable amount metal-work jewellery, Sutton Hoo find, seventh-century burial hoard, most spectacular, there some embroideries early tenth century found tomb St Cuthbert, now Durham. also literary descriptions works art, especially church furnishings. paucity material lack identifiable objects obvious disadvantages. addition be considered extent changed developed over period 650–1050. this examples manuscript illumination will discussed.
Anglo-Saxon England