The Lindisfarne Gospels: Art, History & Inspiration

by Eleanor Jackson

The Lindisfarne Gospels is an extraordinary book and one of the British Library’s greatest treasures.

It was hand-written and decorated over 1,300 years ago by a single supremely gifted scribe-artist. It inspires awe both as a pinnacle of book design and for the fascinating story of how it came down to us in almost pristine condition. Every aspect of its design displays meticulous care, keen responsiveness to a wide range of cultural contacts, and the workings of an immense and brilliant imagination.

This brand-new, accessible volume explores the latest research and thinking on the Lindisfarne Gospels and is published as the manuscript goes on loan to the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle for an exhibition exploring its meaning in today’s world . This magnificent guide presents a detailed introduction and commentary alongside the highest quality, detailed illustrations which celebrate the intricate, interlaced geometrical precision of one of the finest early medieval craftsmen.

96 pages, Hardcover

Published September 22, 2022

Reviews

[Yves · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 10th century, a word-by-word translation into Old English was inserted in this beautiful manuscript. Although this doesn’t result in grammatically correct sentences, the outcome is still considered to be the oldest known English translation of the canonical gospels.

I could make out a word here and there, but was stymied by the translation of ‘incipit’ as ‘onginned’, expecting to find something like ‘be-gint’.
Salvation only arrived when the Dutch ‘ontginnen’ came to mind, meaning the exploitation or development of otherwise uncultivated resources. The root of both words apparently refers to the opening up or starting of things.
The link seems obvious, but the connotation and context are so different that it took me days to make it. How treacherous is the working of the mind? Or so I console myself.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous little book, published in 2022 for a Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in Newcastle. The text is presented in 3 sections, the background and world in which the gospels were created, the actual book itself and its provenance following its creation.

The information provided here is concise, readable and up to date. But the outstanding feature of this book is the many high quality illustrations. Really good!

[Diana Kullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The previous book I purchased about the Lindesfarne Gospels had mostly black and white photographs. I saw an article in BBC History magazine about the 2022 exhibit in the UK of the manuscript with a new publication available. Excellent. It has piqued my interest in these illuminated Gospels.