THE BOOK OF KELLS

Called the "chief relic of the western world," the Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript created by monks over a period of several years, dated to the end of the eighth and beginning of the ninth centuries, containing the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Believed to be the work of three scribes, it is written in Latin on calf vellum in Irish script, mostly in its majuscule form. The text is based on St. Jerome's Vulgate Bible but has much of the Old Latin translation as well. Painted by hand, the Book of Kells colourful and detailed illustrations are considered among the finest representations of religious art. The Book of Kells contains many full-page illustrations, including portraits of Jesus, Matthew, John, and the Virgin Mary. The artwork includes elaborate designs, fine decorations that need to be magnified to be fully appreciated, and representations of foliage and animals, and of abstract and symbolic figures; Matthew is represented as a man,