Françoise Henry (1902–1982)

This oversized book reproduces the Book of Kells, both pages and individual sections, in glorious color. It includes an essay from Françoise Henry, a scholar of early Irish art, on the history of the c. 800 CE manuscript. The book, an illuminated Gospel in Latin, was originally produced on vellum and housed in the Abbey of Kells in County Meath, Ireland. The images combine early Christian iconography with Celtic embellishments, including knots and patterns, that emphasize the illustrations’ themes. This edition is a great addition to the collection of anyone interested in Irish art, culture, or medieval society.… (mais)

Among the many ways to drool on the Gospel Book known as the Book of Kells, this is the most extravagant. Although it does not contain every page in the original, it has the best representation of the book yet published, with 126 full-size plates. Additionally, Françoise Henry's discussion is also extensive, with sections on the book as a whole, the decoration, iconography, and who these artists may have been as well as where and how they lived.

I shall always be indebted to my students, who gifted me with this beautiful volume.… (mais)