This is the first of a series of posts from a paper titled God's Beauty. Rev. Blake Purcell wrote this in 2006 while serving as Rector of the Biblical Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia. Follow along as Reverend Purcell explores God's beauty in the Book of Kells, in the Church, in the Word, and in doctrine.
Artistically, no one questions that Russian icons are some of the most beautiful art in the world. But my 2006 visit to Ireland and chance to view the Book of Kells in the Library of Trinity College in Dublin made me rethink beauty from God’s point of view.
The Book of Kells is a copy of the four Gospels created by Celtic monks on the Isle of Iona off of Scotland in the 9th century, A.D. It ended up in Kells eastern central Ireland due to Viking raids. It is the most elaborate and decorated text of the Bible known to exist.
It is my contention that for overall composition, the Book of Kells is more beautiful and edifying than any traditional Russian icon. I would like to suggest that Psalm 68 reveals at least 7 insights into God’s aesthetic when it comes to beauty in paintings. The verbal metaphors of this psalm require us to know and value their material counterparts. And if we value them, then I think we will rather have Kells-type art decorating our lives than iconic type art.
Introduction
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| Icon of St. Paul the Apostle by Andrei Rublev, 1408. |
The Book of Kells is a copy of the four Gospels created by Celtic monks on the Isle of Iona off of Scotland in the 9th century, A.D. It ended up in Kells eastern central Ireland due to Viking raids. It is the most elaborate and decorated text of the Bible known to exist.
It is my contention that for overall composition, the Book of Kells is more beautiful and edifying than any traditional Russian icon. I would like to suggest that Psalm 68 reveals at least 7 insights into God’s aesthetic when it comes to beauty in paintings. The verbal metaphors of this psalm require us to know and value their material counterparts. And if we value them, then I think we will rather have Kells-type art decorating our lives than iconic type art.
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| Opening of St. Luke's gospel, Book of Kells. |
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