Figure 25.21 Folio 27v: the Four Evangelists page from St Matthew’s Gospel in the Book of Kells by the artist known as ‘the Portraitist’.
The eagle symbol of St John has a halo with three crosses, a device that recurs a number of times and appears to be a reference to the Trinity. The beautiful tail of this eagle connects to the body in a sweeping S curve.
The Portrait of St John
The painting of St John on folio 291v (Fig. 25.22) portrays the author as a scribe, his quill pen in his right hand, a book held aloft in his left, and an ink horn down by his right foot. The stylised figure of John has an elaborate halo and the folds in his garments are arranged in a very symmetrical way. The patterns in the border seemed to be mirror images of their opposite number until one takes a closer look to discover differences in pattern and colour. The crosses at the top, bottom and sides of the border emphasise the head, hands and feet that protrude beyond the frame, a reference to God the Father, who is behind everything, unseen. Alternatively, the crosses could be a reference to the fact that John was the only evangelist present at the crucifixion of Christ.
The Quoniam Page
The opening word of St Luke’s Gospel, ‘Quoniam’ (Fig. 25.23) is given a full page to itself. The letters
364
The letters Q, U
and O are overlapped
Figure 25.22 Folio 291v: portrait of St John from the Book of Kells by the artist known as the Portraitist.
Animal head
Zoomorph/ bird heads
Figure 25.23 Folio 188r: the Quoniam page from the opening of St Luke’s Gospel in the Book of Kells by the Portraitist.
Q U O are overlapped into one shape framed in purple. The remaining letters N I A M are surrounded by little groups of figures. The group to the left and
NEW APPRECIATING ART IRELAND AND ITS PLACE IN THE WIDER WORLD
