Muiredach'a Cross. Ireland, early 10th century.

Celtic art is art associated with various peoples known as Celts speaking the Celtic languages in Europe from pre-history through to the medieval period and beyond, as well as art of ancient peoples whose language is unknown but where cultural and stylistic similarities lead archaeologists to consider it probable that they were predecessors of those known to speak Celtic languages, and Celtic revival art from the 18th century to the modern era which began as a conscious effort by Modern Celts to express self-identification and nationalism. Download high resolution version (1024x1489, 224 KB)Muiredachs Cross Picture taken by Matteo Corti in August 2002. ... Download high resolution version (1024x1489, 224 KB)Muiredachs Cross Picture taken by Matteo Corti in August 2002. ... A Celtic cross. ... The Celtic languages are the languages descended from Proto-Celtic, or Common Celtic, spoken by ancient and modern Celts alike. ... A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is the worlds second-smallest continent in terms of area, covering around 10,790,000 km² (4,170,000 sq mi) or 2. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... This article concerns those peoples who consider themselves, or have been considered by others, to be Celts in modern times. ... // Nationalism is an ideology which holds that the nation, ethnicity or national identity is a fundamental unit of human social life, and makes certain political claims based upon that belief; above all, the claim that the nation is the only legitimate basis for the state, and that each nation is...

Celtic art is ornamental, avoiding straight lines and only occasionally using symmetry, without the imitation of nature or ideal of beauty central to the classical tradition, but as far as we can understand it often involves complex symbolism. It includes a variety of styles and often incorporates subtly modified elements from other cultures, an example being the characteristic over-and-under interlacing which only arrived in the 6th century when it was already in use by Germanic artists. Classicism door in Olomouc, The Czech Republic. ... This Buddhist stela from China, Northern Wei period, was built in the early 6th century. ...

There are three "traditions" of Celtic art, the first being the continental Iron age art mainly associated with La Tène culture which draws on native, classical and (perhaps via the Mediterranean) oriental sources. The second, Iron age art in Britain and Ireland, draws on the continental tradition while adding distinctive regional styles. The third, the Celtic "renaissance" of the early Middle Ages in Ireland and to a lesser extent in parts of Britain, borrows heavily from Roman motifs. This third tradition formed the basis for the relatively recent Celtic revival art. Iron Age Axe found on Gotland This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age, for the mythological Iron Age see Iron Age (mythology). ... The La Tène culture was an Iron Age culture named after the archaeological site of La Tène on the north side of Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland, where a rich trove of artifacts was discovered by Hansli Kopp in 1857. ... The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea positioned between Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east, covering an approximate area of 2. ...

Background

The ancient peoples now called "Celts" spoke a group of languages that had a common origin in the Indo-European language known as Common Celtic or Proto-Celtic. This shared linguistic origin was once widely accepted by scholars to indicate peoples with a common genetic origin in central Europe, who had spread their culture by emigration and invasion. Archaeologists identified various cultural traits of these peoples, including styles of art, and traced the culture to the earlier Hallstatt culture and La Tène culture. More recent studies have indicated that various Celtic groups do not all have shared ancestry, and have suggested a diffusion and spread of the culture without necessarily involving significant movement of peoples. A Celtic cross. ... The Hallstatt culture was the predominant Central European culture during the local Bronze Age, and introduced the Iron Age. ... The La Tène culture was an Iron Age culture named after the archaeological site of La Tène on the north side of Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland, where a rich trove of artifacts was discovered by Hansli Kopp in 1857. ...

The term "Celt" was used in classical times as a synonym for the Gauls (Κελτοι, Celtae). Its English form is modern, attested from 1607. In the late 17th century the work of scholars such as Edward Lhuyd brought academic attention to the historic links between Gaulish and the Brythonic- and Goidelic-speaking peoples, from which point the term was applied not just to continental Celts but those in Britain and Ireland. Then in the 18th century the interest in "primitivism" which lead to the idea of the "noble savage" brought a wave of enthusiasm for all things Celtic and Druidic. The "Irish revival" came after the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 as a conscious attempt to demonstrate an Irish national identity, and with its counterpart in other countries subsequently became the "Celtic revival". Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Latin name for the region of western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... Events January 20 - Tidal wave swept along the Bristol Channel, killing 2000 people. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Edward Llwyd (also spelt Lhuyd) ( 1660 - June 30, 1709) was a Welsh naturalist, botanist, linguist, geographer and antiquary. ... Brythonic is one of two major divisions of Insular Celtic languages (the other being Goidelic). ... Goidelic is one of two major divisions of modern-day Celtic languages (the other being Brythonic). ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... This article is about primitivism. ... A noble savage is a person who belongs to an uncivilized group or tribe and is considered to be, consequently, more worthy than people who live within civilization. ... In Celtic polytheism the word Druid denoted the priestly class in ancient Celtic societies, which existed through much of Western Europe north of the Alps and in the British Isles. ... Catholic Emancipation was a process in Great Britain and Ireland in the late 18th century and early 19th century which involved reducing and removing many of the restrictions on Roman Catholics which had been introduced by the Act of Uniformity and the Test Acts. ...

Early Middle Ages

Celtic art in the Middle Ages was practiced by the Celtic speaking people of Ireland and Britain in the 800 year period from the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the 5th century, to the establishment of Romanesque art in the 12th century. The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The Roman Forum was the central area around which ancient Rome developed. ... Interior of the Saint-Saturnin church St-Sernin, Toulouse, 1080 – 1120: elevation of the east end Romanesque sculpture, cloister of St. ...

Celtic art is one of the major art periods in Medieval art. Byzantine art was the high art of the Middle Ages and monumental Church mosaics were the crowing glory. ...

Ireland

In Ireland an unbroken Celtic heritage existed from before and throughout the Roman era of Britain, which had never reached the island, and thus the 5th to 7th centuries were mainly a continuation of late Iron Age La Tene art. In the 7th and 8th centuries Irish art mixed with Germanic traditions through Irish missionary contacts with the Anglo-Saxons, creating what is called the Hiberno-Saxon style. Late in the period Scandinavian influences were added through the Vikings, then original Celtic work came to end with the Norman invasion in 1169-1170 and subsequent introduction of the Romanesque style. Iron Age Axe found on Gotland This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age, for the mythological Iron Age see Iron Age (mythology). ... La Tène is a village near the Neuenburger See, also called Lac du Neuchâtel, a lake in Switzerland. ... The Anglo-Saxons refers collectively to the groups of Germanic tribes who achieved dominance in southern Britain from the mid-5th century, forming the basis for the modern English nation. ... Muiredacha Cross. ... Scandinavia, Fennoscandia, and the Kola Peninsula. ... The name Viking is a loan from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse seafaring warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, Europe and the British Isles from the late 8th century to the 11th century, the period of European history referred to as the Viking Age. ... The Normans (adapted from the name Northmen or Norsemen) were a mixture of the indigenous Gauls of France and the Viking invaders under the leadership of Rollo (Gange Rolf). ... Events Nur ad-Din invades Egypt, and his nephew Saladin becomes the sultan over the territory conquered by Nur ad-Din. ... Events December 29: Assassination of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury cathedral Eleanor of Aquitaine leaves the court of Henry II because of a string of infidelities. ...

Ardagh Chalice, silver and millefiori glass. Irish, early 8th century.

In the 7th and 8th centuries Irish Celtic missionaries traveled to Northumbria in Britain and brought with them the Irish tradition of manuscript illumination, which came in to contact with Anglo-Saxon metalworking knowledge and motifs. In the monasteries of Northumbria these skills fused and were probably transmitted back to Scotland and Ireland from there. The crafts produced from this Celtic and Germanic fusion is called the Hiberno-Saxon style. Some of the masterpieces created include the Tara Brooch, the Ardagh Chalice and the Derrynaflan Chalice. New techniques employed were filigree and chip carving, while new motifs included interlace patterns and animal ornamentation. The Book of Durrow is the earliest complete insular script illuminated Gospel book and by about 700, with the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Hiberno-Saxon style was fully developed with detailed carpet pages that seem to glow with a wide pallet of colours. The artform reached its apex with the Book of Kells in the late 8th century. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1086x888, 671 KB) Ardagh Chalice Created by Kglavin Feb 2005 File links The following pages link to this file: Ardagh Chalice Celtic art ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1086x888, 671 KB) Ardagh Chalice Created by Kglavin Feb 2005 File links The following pages link to this file: Ardagh Chalice Celtic art ... Millefiori is a glasswork technique which has been used for centuries to produce distinctive decorative patterns on glassware. ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... Section from Shepherds map of the British Isles about 802 AD showing the kingdom of Northumbria Northumbria is primarily the name of an Anglian kingdom which was formed in Great Britain at the beginning of the 7th century, and of the much smaller earldom which succeeded the kingdom. ... In the strictest definition of illuminated manuscript, only manuscripts decorated with gold or silver, like this miniature of Christ in Majesty from the Aberdeen Bestiary (folio 4v), would be considered illuminated. ... Metalworking is the craft and practice of working with metals to create parts or structures. ... In literature, a motif is any recurring element that has symbolic significance. ... A monastery is the habitation of monks, derived from the Greek word for a hermits cell. ... The Tara Brooch The Tara Brooch is considered one of the most important extant artifacts of early Christian-era Irish art, and is housed and displayed in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. ... The Ardagh Chalice, which ranks with the Book of Kells as one of the finest known works of Celtic art, is thought to have been made in the 9th century AD. A large, two-handled silver cup, decorated with gold, gilt bronze, brass, lead pewter and enamel, assembled from 354... Derrynaflan Chalice The Derrynaflan Chalice is an 8th or 9th Century chalice, that was found 17 February 1980 near Killenaule in County Tipperary Ireland. ... Filigree (formerly written filigrann or filigrane) is a jewel work of a delicate kind made with twisted threads usually of gold and silver. ... Chip carving is a form of wood carving. ... The beginning of the Gospel of Mark from the Book of Durrow. ... The beginning of the Gospel of Mark from the Book of Durrow. ... Folio 27r from the Lindisfarne Gospels contains the incipit from the Gospel of Matthew. ... This page (folio 292r) contains the lavishly decorated text that opens the Gospel of John. ...

In the 9th and 10th century plain silver became a popular medium in Anglo-Saxon England, probably because of the increased amount in circulation due to Viking trading and raiding, and it was during this time a number of magnificent silver brooches were created in Ireland. Around the same time manuscript production began to decline, and although it has often been blamed on the Vikings, this is debatable given the decline began before the Vikings arrived. Sculpture began to flourish in the form of "High Cross", a large stone cross that held biblical scenes in carved relief. This art form reached its apex in the early 10th century and has left many fine examples such as Muiredach's Cross at Monasterboice and the Ahenny High Cross. General Name, Symbol, Number silver, Ag, 47 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 11, 5, d Appearance lustrous white metal Atomic mass 107. ... Aquamarine, platinum, and diamond brooch/pendant worn by Mrs. ... Sculpture is a three-dimensional form created as an artistic expression. ... High Cross in Ireland High Cross, Dysert, Co. ... Categories: Ireland-related stubs | County Louth ...

The impact of the Vikings on Irish art is not seen until the late 11th century when Irish metal work begins to imitate the Scandinavian Ringerike and Urnes styles, for example the Cross of Cong, County Mayo. These influences were found not just in the Norse centre of Dublin, but throughout the countryside in stone monuments such as the Doorty Cross at Kilfenora and crosses at the Rock of Cashel. Scandinavia, Fennoscandia, and the Kola Peninsula. ... Ringerike is a municipality in the county of Buskerud, Norway. ... Cong (Conga Fheichín or Cúnga Fheichín in Irish) is a village in County Mayo, Republic of Ireland, next to the Galway border. ... Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath), is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland, located near the midpoint of Irelands east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. ... Kilfenora is a small village in County Clare in the Republic of Ireland, just south of The Burren. ... An old view of the Rock of Cashel from the town. ...

Picts

Portrait of Christ. Book of Kells carpet page, possibly Ionian, 8th century.

From the 5th to 9th centuries, the art of the Picts is primarily known through stone sculpture, although some metalwork exists. There are no known illuminated manuscripts. The earlier sculptures Image File history File links Download high resolution version (512x706, 171 KB) Book of Kells, Folio 32v, Christ Enthroned. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (512x706, 171 KB) Book of Kells, Folio 32v, Christ Enthroned. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Pictish stones are organised into 3 classes. Class I Pictish stones contained carvings of animals (bull or eagle), objects from daily life (a comb, a mirror), or geometric shapes such as circles or squares. Class II Pictish stones were cross-slabs with Pictish symbols of the back side (geometric patterns, animals, vines) and on the front side would be elaborate narrative stories such as a battle scene or hunting scene. Class III Pictish stones were cross-slabs which lacked the Pictish scenes, believed to have occurred after the Scottish takeover in the 9th century. Examples include the sarcophagus at St Andrews in Fife, the Nigg stone and examples at Iona and Dalriada. Pictish stones are to be found all over Scotland and are the most visible remaining evidence of their makers, the Picts. ... Stone sarcophagus of Pharaoh Merenptah A sarcophagus is a stone container for a coffin or body. ... Named after Saint Andrew, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews is a coastal town in Fife, Scotland, and the home of golf. ... Fife (Fìobh in Gaelic) is a unitary council region of Scotland situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth. ... Iona seen from Fionnphort, the ferry point on the Isle of Mull Iona, population 175, is a small island (1 mile wide, 3. ... Dalriada or Dál Riata (as it was called in Ireland) was the kingdom of the Scotti, who spread from eastern Ulster to Argyll and eventually gave their name to Scotland. ...

The Book of Kells is believed to most probably be an 8th century product of a Iona scriptorium and stands out as a magnificent example of Celtic art, and it contains Pictish influences in its ornamentation. It was probably transferred to Kells in Ireland during the 9th century in response to Viking raids. This page (folio 292r) contains the lavishly decorated text that opens the Gospel of John. ... (7th century — 8th century — 9th century — other centuries) Events The Iberian peninsula is taken by Arab and Berber Muslims, thus ending the Visigothic rule, and starting almost 8 centuries of Muslim presence there. ... A Scriptorium was a room or building, usually within a Christian monastery where, during medieval times, manuscripts were written. ...

Wales

No early metalwork or manuscripts survive from Wales. In the later period, the illuminated Ricemarch Psalter from the 11th century was written in Wales and contains some Irish influences.

The only attestment of a Welsh artistic tradition in any quantity (prior to the Norman Conquest) are stone monuments in the form of cross-slabs and freestanding crosses; however compared to the Irish High Cross and Pictish stones, they are more simple in design, containing geometric patterns with no attempts at figure representation. Bayeux Tapestry depicting events leading to the Battle of Hastings The Norman Conquest of England was the conquest of the Kingdom of England by William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy), in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings and the subsequent Norman control of England. ...

Celtic revival

A modern take on Celtic knotwork.

Since the Romantic era, there has been a substantial revival of interest in all things Celtic, including the visual arts. Many painters, calligraphers, and other artists have worked with the themes drawn from ancient or medieval Celtic art, or else inspired by Celtic literary themes. Some of this work has remained very close to the style of La Tène or illuminated manuscript originals, but much of it has a distinctly new feel. Modern Celtic-themed art can be seen today in a wide range of logos, jewellery, crafts, postcards, and so on. Celtic knot ring This knot was designed and drawn by User:Sasha Kopf. ... Celtic knot ring This knot was designed and drawn by User:Sasha Kopf. ...

Celtic font design has proved popular in the computer era; the fonts identified as 'Celtic' are sometimes very close to those of illuminated manuscripts, and sometimes distinctly modern interpretations.

Celtic art terms

• Hanging bowl. These were created by Celtic craftsmen during the time of the Anglo-Saxon conquests of England. They were based on a Roman design, usually made of copper with 3 or 4 suspension loops along the top rim, from which they were designed to be hung from within a tripod. Some of the finest examples are found in the horde at Sutton Hoo (625) which are enameled. The knowledge of their manufacture spread to Scotland and Ireland in the 8th century.
• Carpet page. An illuminated manuscript page decorated entirely in ornamentation. In Hiberno-Saxon tradition this was a standard feature of Gospel books, with one page as an introduction to each Gospel. Usually made in a geometric or interlace pattern, often framing a central cross. The earliest known example is the 7th century Bobbio Orosius.
• High Cross. A stone cross monument that held biblical scenes in carved relief, usually copying scenes from ivory sculptures and frescoes of the continent. Known in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Also known by the name Celtic cross.
• Pictish stone. A cross-slab—a rectangular slab of rock with a cross carved in relief on the slab face, with other pictures and shapes carved throughout. Organised into three Classes, based on period of origin.
• Hiberno-Saxon. The fusion of Celtic illuminated manuscript techniques with Anglo-Saxon metalworking techniques. Occurred when Irish Celtic missionaries traveled to Northumbria in the 7th and 8th centuries. Produced some of the most outstanding Celtic art of the Middle Ages in illuminated manuscripts, metalworking and sculpture.
• Celtic calendar. The oldest material Celtic calendar is the fragmented Coligny calendar from the first century BC or AD.

Sutton Hoo parade helmet (British Museum, restored). ... Folio 1v of the Bobbio Orosius contains the oldest surviving carpet page in any insular manuscript. ... High Cross in Ireland High Cross, Dysert, Co. ... Fresco by Dionisius representing Saint Nicholas. ... A Celtic cross For Celtic Cross, the ambient/dub band see Celtic Cross (band) A Celtic cross combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. ... Muiredacha Cross. ... The term Celtic calendar is used to refer to a variety of calendars used by Celtic-speaking peoples at different times in history. ... overview of the re-assembled tablet detail of Mid Samonios The Gaulish Coligny Calendar was found in Coligny, Ain, France (46°23′ N 5°21′ E) near Lyons in 1897, along with the head of a bronze statue of a youthful male figure. ...

References

• Ruth and Vincent Megaw (2001). Celtic Art. ISBN 050028265X
• Lloyd and Jenifer Laing. Art of the Celts, Thames and Hudson, London 1992 ISBN 0-500-20256-7

External links

• Celtic Art & Culture from the University of North Carolina.
• Celtic Art, Microsoft Encarta

The University of North Carolina, often called the University of North Carolina System to avoid confusion, is a federation of all sixteen public universities in North Carolina. ... Encarta Dictionary Technology (to be written) Encarta made use of various Microsoft technologies. ...

See also

• Celt
• Modern Celts
• Early history of Ireland
• Hallstatt culture
• La Tène culture
• Celtic polytheism
• Celtic mythology
• Celtic Christianity
• Celtic cross
• List of Hiberno-Saxon illustrated manuscripts
• Celtic music