The Lindisfarne Gospels: A Medieval Masterpiece, 2011

The intricately ornamented eighth-century manuscript known as the Lindisfarne Gospels is among the great masterpieces of early medieval book painting. It was produced at Lindisfarne, an island monastic community in northeastern England. Its creators were Bishop Eadfrith and his successor, Ethelwald; an anchorite named Billfrith adorned the binding with gold, gilded silver, unalloyed metal, and jewels. Except for the loss of its original binding, the Lindisfarne Gospels has survived virtually intact. Twelve richly colorful pages from this magnificent manuscript are reproduced here.