Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:33 pm by globalturbo
Celtic Art in Medieval Ireland
Posted on April 29, 2023
Insular art seems to have reached Britain and Ireland (by sea) shortly before the arrival Christianity. More common in northern, rthan southern, Ireland, it differs slightly from European La Tene art (which died out after the Roman conquest). Incorporating gold filigree and other techniques introduced by Germanic invaders, insular art also displays classical vegetal (flowers, leaves, vines, etc) themes introduced by Christian missionaries.
During the 3rd and 4th century, Irish metal (used mainly in liturgical accessories) reflected trade with Roman Britain. Beginning in the 7th century, reliquaries (vessels containing the relics of deceased saints) were a common form of Irish metal work.
The Tara Brooch is the most famous piece of metal work from this period. In a time when there were no buttons or zippers, both men and women wore brooches to fasten their mantels.
Extremely intricate manuscript illumination was also an important art form in wealthier 7th – 9th century monasteries.
Manuscript illuminations reflected many of the same motifs found in metal work and textiles. As medieval Ireland had few monumental buildings, it was typical for Irish elites to manifest their wealth through the intricately embroidered garments. Medieval embroiderers had a higher honor** price than the queen.
Stone carving was another medieval Irish art form although it’s harder to date and tends to be degraded by weather. Ireland’s earliest carvings are ogham*** inscriptions used as grave markers. As Ireland became Christianized, Latin grave inscriptions became more common.
High crosses, the best known Celtic stone work, developed simultaneously in Ireland and Britain. They feature a nimbus (circle) around the cross point. Since the 19th century Gaelic revival, they have been referred to as Celtic crosses.
*See European Celtic Art and Artifacts
**The honor price was the penalty paid in medieval Ireland for murdering someone.
***A script used to record ancient Celtic languages
Film can be viewed free with a library card on Kanopy.
https://pukeariki.kanopy.com/en/pukeariki/video/5701024/5701050
THANKS TO: https://stuartbramhall.wordpress.com/2023/04/29/celtic-art-in-medieval-ireland/
Posted on April 29, 2023
Episode 13 Celtic Art and Insular Art
The Celtic World
Dr Jennifer Paxton (2018)
Film Review
During the 5th century AD, Ireland experienced a late flowering of La Tene art.* The latter features stylized (as opposed to realistic) animals and abstract repeating patterns, especially interlacing curvilinear geometric shapes and spirals. If it originated after the Germanic invasion of Britain, this specific genre is returned to as Hiberno-Saxon or insular art.Insular art seems to have reached Britain and Ireland (by sea) shortly before the arrival Christianity. More common in northern, rthan southern, Ireland, it differs slightly from European La Tene art (which died out after the Roman conquest). Incorporating gold filigree and other techniques introduced by Germanic invaders, insular art also displays classical vegetal (flowers, leaves, vines, etc) themes introduced by Christian missionaries.
During the 3rd and 4th century, Irish metal (used mainly in liturgical accessories) reflected trade with Roman Britain. Beginning in the 7th century, reliquaries (vessels containing the relics of deceased saints) were a common form of Irish metal work.
The Tara Brooch is the most famous piece of metal work from this period. In a time when there were no buttons or zippers, both men and women wore brooches to fasten their mantels.
Extremely intricate manuscript illumination was also an important art form in wealthier 7th – 9th century monasteries.
Manuscript illuminations reflected many of the same motifs found in metal work and textiles. As medieval Ireland had few monumental buildings, it was typical for Irish elites to manifest their wealth through the intricately embroidered garments. Medieval embroiderers had a higher honor** price than the queen.
Stone carving was another medieval Irish art form although it’s harder to date and tends to be degraded by weather. Ireland’s earliest carvings are ogham*** inscriptions used as grave markers. As Ireland became Christianized, Latin grave inscriptions became more common.
High crosses, the best known Celtic stone work, developed simultaneously in Ireland and Britain. They feature a nimbus (circle) around the cross point. Since the 19th century Gaelic revival, they have been referred to as Celtic crosses.
*See European Celtic Art and Artifacts
**The honor price was the penalty paid in medieval Ireland for murdering someone.
***A script used to record ancient Celtic languages
Film can be viewed free with a library card on Kanopy.
https://pukeariki.kanopy.com/en/pukeariki/video/5701024/5701050
THANKS TO: https://stuartbramhall.wordpress.com/2023/04/29/celtic-art-in-medieval-ireland/
