Celtic Manuscripts workbook

Celtic Manuscripts
workbook
CATHACH 6th C. ‘By permission of Royal Irish Academy’ c.
 Book of Durrow
Cathach
 Book of Kells
Learning Outcomes: On completion of the
topic ‘’Irish Illuminated Manuscripts 6th-9th C’
students should be able to:
Understand the Christian context that produced
these works
Identify an Illuminated Manuscript
Construct a simple Celtic design
List the materials and methods used
Distinguish different decorative styles and
techniques of Illuminated Manuscripts
Recognise the shared motifs used in Metallurgy /
Stonework / Illuminated manuscripts
This booklet could be used:
Concurrently with the topics
As homework exercises
As a revision resource
Date: 20 10 2011 : All printed pages may be downloaded
ORDINARY LEVEL
Examination papers from 2005—2011
EXPANDING THE TOPIC outside the classroom
3. ‘The Temptation of Christ’ from the Book of Kells is illustrated on the accompanying sheet.
Answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Sketch and describe two types of decoration found on this page.
(b) Write a short note on the materials used to make The Book of Kells.
(c) Name and give a short description of one other Irish manuscript that you have studied. 2005
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Visit shops and record products that use Celtic motifs, jewellery,
tourist shops, spot products that use a Celtic font .

Write students’ names in Celtic Uncial font and decorate them
using Celtic motifs and hang as a wall border around the classroom

Use Celtic Calligraphy in the ‘Craft’ exam

Visit the exhibition in TCD ‘ Turning Darkness into Light’

http://www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/
worksheets can be downloaded to suit all secondary levels
Use sketches to illustrate your answer. 2005

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2. The Chi-Rho page from the Book of Kells is illustrated on the accompanying sheet.

Answer (a), (b) and ©
You tube ‘ The Secret of Kells’ (2-3 MINUTES)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2NqV6501YMw&list=FLJi4cXQCVQDKEQTWsf2ilwg&index=11
This is a short extract beautifully illustrated and could be used as an
introduction to the topic.
) Sketch and describe two different types of decoration found on this page.
Copyright approvals:
(b) Describe the materials and techniques used to produce the Book of Kells.
These images are for single use only and may not be downloaded or
(c) Name and give a brief description of one other page from the Book of Kells.
photocopied without prior permission from appropriate sources
Use sketches to illustrate your answer. 2007
Royal Irish Academy The Cathach www.ria.ie
Trinity College Archives DigitalResources@tcd.ie
Front cover Book of Durrow, Book of Kells
3. The Virgin and Child page from the Book of Kells is illustrated on the accompanying sheet.
Answer (a), (b) and (c).
(a) Describe and discuss the figures on this page.
(b) Describe and discuss the abstract decoration on this page.
(c) Give some general information about the Book of Kells.
Use sketches to illustrate your answer.2011
Page 2
ancient-celts.com citrinitas.com art-imagery.com
Puzzle All Star Puzzles chad@thewhipkey.com
Higher Level Exam
Trace the use of colour from the Cathach 6th C.
Book of Durrow 7th C and Book of Kells 8th C.
2. The decoration of the Book of Durrow displays evidence that it was influenced by the
patterns and motifs found on stone and metal from the pre-Christian period.
CATHACH 6C.
Discuss this statement with reference to the illustration on the accompanying sheet,
and
describe and discuss one other page from any manuscript of your choice.
Illustrate your answer. Higher 2006
Ordinary: Metalwork/Neolithic
3. The pages illustrated on the accompanying sheet are from two Irish illuminated
manuscripts. St. MATHEW [Durrow] CHI Rho Book of Kells
Name the manuscripts and describe and compare both pages referring to layout, imagery, design, colour and symbolism.
BOOK OF DURROW 7C.
and
Discuss briefly the function of these manuscripts and the conditions that enabled their
production.
Illustrate your answer. 2008
Ordinary: Pre Christian metalwork/stone crosses
No illumination Q. in 2009
3. Discuss the stylised treatment of the human figure in Irish Manuscripts such as the
Book of Durrow or the Book of Kells. Refer in your answer to one named page from
either book.
BOOK OF KELLS 8C.
and
Discuss briefly how such manuscripts were made and explain what their original function was.
. Discuss the stylistic developments in early Christian manuscripts from the Cathach to
the Book of Kells. In your answer make reference to the layout, the use of colour and the
approaches to decoration. 2011
and
Name and describe briefly one page from any manuscript of your choice.
Illustrate your answer.
Page 18
Page 3
Terms used in exam
questions 2005-2011
W
un rite
th ders or
d
es
e t tand raw
er
i
ms ng o you
r
he f
re
Select one design technique ie.
Spirals, Embossing,Knotwork
and trace its development from metalwork into Illuminated
Manuscripts.
Annotate every detail
Stylized
Sketch
Describe
Decoration
Materials
Techniques
Manuscript
Figure
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Page 17
W
de rite
te rsta or
rm nd dr
s h ing aw
y
er
e of th our
es un
e
-
Alphabet game
At the end of the topic invite students to connect words . eg
M
Monks, manuscript
A
Animal designs ( Zoomorphic)
Pattern
N
New Testament (B o K)
Motif
U
Imagery
S
Design
C
Colour
R
Symbolism
I
Imagery
P
Psalms (Cathach)
Function
T
Discuss
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Page 5
Identify the manuscript from which
this is written
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the use of colour also.
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Sketch images from the Illuminated
Manuscripts where shared design motifs have
been used in Metalwork and Stonework of 7th,
8th Century
Knot work in Metalwork
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Explain the term
‘diminuendo’
Illustrate with an example
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Imagine you have only soot
available to make ink… mix up
a little paste and write your
initial using similar decorative
techniques as seen above
Millefiori in Metalwork
What is ink gall ink?
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Interlacing in Stonework
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Page 15
Define and illustrate the following terms:
What is the difference between a manuscript and a book?
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knot work
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spirals
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What is written in the Book Of Durrow?
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Step patterns
When was it written?
triskeles
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Who wrote it?
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How was it written?
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millefiori
List the materials used
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symmetry
Draw a stylised animal as seen in the Book of Durrow here.
cloisonne
filigree
Page 14
Page 7
Arrest of Christ
Trace and colour a detail from a ‘CARPET PAGE’ from
the Book of Durrow.Describe the colours, and annotate
your image
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this page?————————————————————
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————————————Select a section from the
Book Of Durrow that
contains
Strap work
Spirals
Animal decoration
[zoomorphic]
Annotate your selection
Page 8
Page 13
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE;
Match the keywords with the appropriate column
Portrait of Christ, Decoration, Pigment, Colour Stylised, Knotwork, Triskeles, Spirals,Capital letter, Majuscule or Uncial, Calligraphy, Vellum, Ink, Quill,
Psalms, Zoomorphic, Figurative, Symbol, Religious,
Bible, Carpet Page, Evangelist, New Testament,
Scribe, Orpiment ,Red lead ,Latin, Gospels
Materials used
Page 12
Methods, Designs
Content
Page 9
Business
Name
Write one
Latin word from the book of Kells
How to construct simple ‘Step’ Pattern
As Seen in the Book of Durrow
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Look at the 3 representations of the letter N, from The
Cathach 6C. Book of Durrow 7C. Book of Kells 8C.
Describe how each was decorated, annotate each image
Using a six square grid from graph paper,
construct a step pattern to make a border
for a greeting card. Use 4 colours to highlight your pattern
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