Insular Manuscript Illumination
Carol A. Farr
The manuscript decoration produced in Ireland and the British Isles from about 600 to 850 marks advent of medieval book art. Linked arrival Christianity, it includes some earliest surviving examples groups northern European people who, never having lived fully within Roman Empire, received religion a culture outside their own milieu. Artistic developments this context included mixtures native art with Mediterranean as well interpretations Late Antique contemporary name “Insular,” however, is used here not denote style but rather provide simplified label for stylistically diverse decorated manuscripts 7th- through mid-9th-century Irish, Anglo-Saxon, Welsh, Pictish, British, Scottish contexts. Another term, “Hiberno-Saxon,” sometimes used, it, too, entirely satisfactory because appears exclude all Irish Anglo-Saxon contributions ignore complexity various groups’ interactions. Manuscript played an important role visual Bible’s centrality Christian thought, ritual, authority. Moreover, imported medium required adaptations decorative forms assimilation foreign traditions, such illusionism depictions human figure. By late 8th century, Gospel books Psalters, most significant biblical texts thought prayer, appear have become sites development complex interpretative images traditions graphic presentations that incorporated concepts orthodoxy, liturgical devotional meaning, church. Of illuminated Insular manuscripts, survive largest numbers, they were alone receiving decoration. Other types include prayers, histories, lives saints, commentaries, poetry, natural science texts, books, canon law, grammatical studies. chronological reach illumination extends 7th when groundwork laid by monastic founders (such Patrick, Brendan, Columba, Aidan) missionaries sent Italy Gaul Anglo-Saxons (Augustine, Mellitus, Paulinus, Felix, Birinus) had begun flourish, comes end later years Carolingian empire, changes brought Vikings. Geographically its embrace reaches beyond islands Britain Continental centers (Luxeuil, Bobbio, Saint Gall, Echternach, Fulda, others) founded followers, major figures being Columbanus, Willibrord, Boniface. Most undoubtedly been lost, determining dates places origin use those survived fraught difficulty, only few them attributable datable evidence scribal colophons. Production done almost exclusively monasteries, involvement royal aristocratic families these communities certainly exerted considerable force. Royal left record archaeology Dunadd. gaps our knowledge specific contexts given rise frustrating conflict opinions scholarship also lively debate ever-widening discussion.