In a message dated 10-1-1999 9:47:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> A lot of people thought Ireland was worth going to for education and
> medieval Irish trade and communication with the Mediterranean tends to be
> underestimated. What makes you think Byzantine monks in particular went
> there, beyond the similarity in artistic style and when exactly would they
> have gone there?
>
Well, it isn't my idea, and I think I saw it mentioned in a study of the book
of kells. It seems plausible, because manuscript illuminators were often
monks, and it's in Irish manuscripts, rather than the metal work, that one
sees a byzantine influence. When would a momk have left the Byzantine
enpire? at just about any time the Byzantine empire was subject to incursions
from its neighbors, which means most of the time during the middle ages. But
since the locus of discussion is seventh century manuscript illuminations, it
would have to be the seventh century or earlier.
One could of course posit the counter theory that Irish manuscript
illuminators took a tour of the Byzantine empire, and picked up certain
iconographical features in that way. I just think that's less likely.
pat sloane
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|