Catie Keogh - Irish American News

August 2011 Irish American News “We’ve AlWAys Been Green!” 33All The President’s Men!St. Mark’s Initium Euangelii Ihu Xpi“The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” 130r*This is the third of five full-page Incipit Illuminations of the Gospels. They arecalled “incipit” because each one uses the first word or phrase of each Gospel textas the basis for a spectacular introduction to each Gospel. Matthew had two suchpages: “Liber generationis” (29r) (The book of the generations) and “Chi Rho” (34r)(Christi autem generatio-The conception) See IAN, May and June 2011.As suggested earlier, one particularscribe, who I call Artist/Scribe A, (A/S A)with more or less collaboration with otherscribes, does them all. A/S A deliberatelycreates designs using color, artistic imaginationand amazing visual techniques (canI add inspiration?) to evoke in readersa sense of divine presence, of spiritualepiphany and ecstatic rapture-feelingsand emotions appropriate to accompanythe words of the deity. We cansurmise that all early Gospel scribesendeavored to do that-but the scribesof the Book of Kells actually achievedit—especially A/S A.Earlier Insular Gospel’s scribes/artistsfirst used the design of combiningthe letters, “I-n-i,” to appear to be theletter “N” and “I-n-I.” Later, monkscopying the designs, would immediatelyknow it is “I-n-i,” would insert therest of the letters in boxes where therewas room. The “I-n-i” combination wasa recognized design, using a backward“s” shape to connect the two “I”s.In Mark’s Initial page, A/S A designeda page in a similar style that heused previously in Matthew’s “Libergenerationis” (29r.) Using his highlydeveloped artistic vision he, again,created a unified page-filling design. Inhis “I-n-I” the top and bottom of each “I”are knot-work designs of blue, violet orred snakes. Bands that are filled in withinterlaced snakes and peacocks designsfill in spaces around boxes of text from theupper right side of the design down to thebottom left. Snakes and peacocks interlacingfill the spaces inside the “I-n-i” letters.Less space is devoted to the approximately110 “spinning” spirals and disks.There are two other figures in the upperright, which I think were done by a collaboratingscribe. The style is differentthan A/S A’s and similar to other figureselsewhere in the Book. A man in whiteclothing with red interlacing is in the jawsof a lion. There are a few anomalies inthis drawing, but I don’t think they haveany special meanings. The man has whiteclothing on, he is not painted white. Lookat his neck and see a definite collar. Hisleft hand pulling on his knotted beard isattached to his right arm. The right handholding the lion’s tongue is attached tohis left arm. Also, it appears he has twoOne of Irelands legendary bands Bagatelle were among the special invited acts to perform at aSummer Garden party hosted by President Mary McAleese on July 1st at Aras An Uachtarain.More than 350 guests attended the Garden party, and were representing Community groupssuch as Cancer Care, DSPCA, Rehab Care, the PSNI and Dochas.(L-R) Liam Reilly, President Mary Mc Aleese, Ken Doyle, Senator Michael Mc Aleese, PaulByrne and Conor Mc Gouran.right feet.Careful observation shows the man’sarms and legs are interlaced with thelion’s body. Finally, the band that startsat behind the lion’s head and goes downthe right side around the text boxes andacross the bottom is actually the lion’sbody. The man appears to be seated onone of the lion’s front legs.Attempting to understand the meaningsof the images in the Gospel books, wehave at least three concepts to take intoconsideration.1. Determine if the image is deliberatelyplaced within a text and is connected to it,either specifically or symbolically.2. Compare it to other similar works toplace it into a tradition of such usage.3. Compare artistic styles and drawon experience studying graphic designsof that era.A short analysis of the man and lion onthis page can be simple. The lion is oftena symbol of divinity and also a symbol ofMark: they are symbolically intertwinedfor this Gospel.Next month: St. Luke*Note: the numbers refer to folio(“page”)“r” = right side and “v” left side as youlook at the book.2901 Central St. • Evanston, IL 60201Bakery ~ CafeM-W 10-5pmTh-F 10-7pmSat 9-7pm• Cakes• BreadsOptions:• Muffins • Cane Sugar Free• Cookies • Gluten Free• Brownies • Dairy Free• Tea Breads • Egg Free• Pizza Crusts • Vegan• Granola BrowniesCookie of theMonth ClubWe Only Use Organic Butter, Eggs, Canola/Olive Oil, RiceFlour, and Tapioca Flour, and other organic ingredientswhen possible or seasonal.Available in Retail Stores in Your Area!ALL GLUTEN FREE!Wholesale to Retailers/Restaurants847-859-2723www.Rosesbakery.com