The earliest portrait of St Columba: Cod Sang 555, p 166
Jane Geddes
The portrait of St Columba was made on the last page a version Life by Adomnán. book, Cod Sang 555, written at monastery Gallen in later 9th century and drawing possibly added shortly afterwards. image shows both mountain inside church, alive with hands raised prayer dead, represented his adjacent reliquary. shape reliquary is matched an illustration Ark Covenant, about same time. This reveals meaning picture: as God spoke to people from mercy seat speaks directly reader devotees through relics shrine. It proposed that smaller container beside satchel, for containing this book itself. Typological exegesis relating Old Testament explains Columba’s mystical appearance simultaneously church; ability appear person after death. concept praesentia accounts active role intercessor followers. picture composed time when illustrated saints’ lives were beginning develop detailed narrative sequences. stands apart because it does not illustrate events accompanying text. text 555 had already excised details Irish/ Scottish background Iona make more relevant continental audience. Likewise, places Columba, power relics, no longer but before followers Abbey.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland|Aberdeen University Research Archive (Aberdeen University)