Book of Kells
The most beautiful manuscripts in the world; richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), written in Latin around the year 800 AD.
The Book of Kells: A Masterpiece of Medieval Art and Faith
The Book of Kells is a strikingly beautiful, handwritten and hand-drawn version of the four Gospels of the New Testament. The Book of Kells is a showpiece intended for ceremonial display rather than everyday reading. Monks of the Columban tradition worked on it in teams. One team would do the writing and the other the art, painstakingly painting elaborate initials, full-page illustrations, and rich decorative motifs that spill across the margins. The art features spirals, knotwork, and interlaced animals and humans, all woven into letters.
At its core, The Book of Kells contains the four Gospels of the New Testament written in Latin, based largely on St. Jerome’s Vulgate translation. The manuscript consists of over three hundred vellum folios, each painstakingly prepared by monastic scribes. While the text itself is of great importance, it is the decoration that has secured the Book of Kells a unique place in history.
The Book of Kells
For the greater glory of God
A retired surgeon from Marin County transformed his medical precision into sacred art inspired by The Book of Kells. After years of pioneering delicate surgical techniques, he devoted his retirement to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and to creating intricate mosaics that honor God. Moved by seeing the original Book of Kells in Dublin, he spent nearly a decade re-creating its illuminated pages using innovative methods he developed himself. Now displayed at Marin Catholic High School, his mosaics invite students and visitors alike to encounter the transcendent beauty of faith and to seek God’s presence through creativity and devotion.
8 Pointed Cross
The 8 pointed cross preceding the Gospel of St. Mark from the Book of Kells . This ‘Eight-Circle Cross’ page, features a richly ornamented cross pattern filled with interlacing motifs, spirals, and stylized animal forms. Inspired by both Celtic and Christian symbolism, the page serves as a visual meditation on the Cross, emphasizing geometric harmony and color.
At right: artist’s replica of 8 Point Crosses in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Gospel of Saint Luke
The illuminated opening page of the Gospel of St. Luke from the Book of Kells. This lavish design transforms the first letters of the text into an intricate tapestry of interlacing patterns, spirals, and zoomorphic figures. The bold cross-like structure and jewel-like colors reflect the manuscript’s ceremonial purpose and its role as a visual meditation on the sacred word.
At left: artist’s replica of Gospel of Saint Luke in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Jesus Arrested
This image captures the dramatic moment of Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The scene is rendered in the Insular style, characteristic of the Book of Kells, with intricate interlacing patterns, vibrant pigments, and elaborate geometric designs. Figures are stylized rather than naturalistic, emphasizing symbolic meaning over realism. The composition conveys tension through crowded, dynamic figures, while the decorative borders echo the spiritual significance of the event. This miniature reflects both the narrative of the Passion and the extraordinary craftsmanship of early medieval Irish monastic art.
At right: artist’s replica of Jesus Arrested in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Chi Rho Monogram
One of the most famous pages in the Book of Kells is the Chi-Rho page, which marks the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. The Greek letters “XPI” short for Christ, expand into swirling lines, colors, and figures.
At left: artist’s replica of Chi Rho Monogram in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Madonna and Child
A depiction of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, one of the earliest surviving images of the Virgin in Western manuscript art, shows Mary enthroned and holding the infant Jesus. Framed by intricate geometric borders and surrounded by angelic figures, the composition combines spiritual reverence with the ornate interlace patterns of Celtic art.
At right: artist’s replica of Madonna and Child in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Portrait of Jesus
This striking portrait depicts Jesus in a frontal pose, reflecting his spiritual significance rather than naturalistic representation. The peacocks flank Christ’s head, symbolizing resurrection and immortality.
At left: artist’s replica of Portrait of Jesus in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Portrait of Saint John
Saint John is depicted seated in the center. In his left hand, he holds a red book. His right hand holds a long quill. A small pot of ink can be seen down by his right foot. His halo is depicted with two concentric circles filled in with intricate design patterns. Surrounding John are decorative crosses and panels with repeating patterns. A pair of hands can be seen on either side of the page, with two feet at the bottom, and a head at the top. An enigmatic figure’s hands and feet are also visible behind the frame, possibly representing Christ.
At right: artist’s replica of Portrait of Saint John in mosaics.
Below: original image.
Portrait of Saint Matthew
Saint Matthew is shown with a large, staring gaze, long hair, and a purple robe with a gold device, surrounded by a detailed frame with abstract geometric patterns, a calf, an eagle, and a door-like arch. The artwork reflects a combination of Christian themes and the distinct Celtic art style of the time, which is characterized by intricate, swirling lines.
At left: artist’s replica of Portrait of Saint Matthew in mosaics.
Below: original image.
The Four Evangelists
This page presents the winged symbols of the four Gospel writers—Matthew as a man, Mark as a lion, Luke as a calf, and John as an eagle—arranged around a central cross-like pattern. Vivid colors, interlacing designs, and intricate geometric forms create a powerful visual statement of divine harmony and the unity of the Gospels.
At right: artist’s replica of The Four Evangelists in mosaics.
Below: original image.
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