George Bain Drawing - Book of Kells. Opening Words of St Johns Gospel.
subject: This is probably the work of a great master-scribe, Who obeyed the Ancient law "Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image or any Likeness" Etc, EXODUS Chap 20, Verse 4. Plant forms are rare in The Book of Kells and always potted. The scribes work is probably the Final Application of the Three-Dimensional skill of Jewellers, Enamelers and Sculptors. The only thing unconnected with the man, beast or bird is the WHITE CIRCLE in the middle of the TRIANGLE made by the two forearms of the man and the top-knot of the BEAST. C1 Page of Opening Words of St John's Gospel. Sir Edward Sullivan writes in the STUDIO Publication "Book of Kells" : " It is possible that the combination of the C and 1 is intended to suggest A HARPER PLAYING A HARP. Perhaps the fingers of the player. Which seems to suggest the harp strings may have suggested the idea". The contents are A MAN with head, forelock, badlock, beard, two arms, two fingers, two legs, two feet. A BEAST with topknot, neck, foreleg and foot, two toes, hindleg, foot with two toes. A BIRD with topknot, neck, body, wing, leg, four toes, three tail feathers. REPTILE with head, snout, two top knots, body.
description: Drawing with text explanation.
creator: George Bain.