About the images

The Lindisfarne Gospels, created by the community of St Cuthbert on Lindisfarne in the 8th century and regarded as one of the finest examples of medieval creativity and craftsmanship, is now on display at Durham University, giving visitors the chance to see examples of the magnificent figural painting and the intricate insular ornament for which the book is so renowned.

Advertisement

To safeguard the book, each of its pages can be opened for no longer than three months, once every five years: the first opening will be two pages of beautiful and intricately designed canon tables; the second will feature the detailed decorated word panel at the beginning of one of the prefaces to the text and a page featuring one of the famous Evangelist portraits.

The St Cuthbert Gospel, Europe’s oldest surviving bound book, and some of Britain’s most significant and precious Anglo-Saxons artefacts and medieval manuscripts, will on display alongside the Lindisfarne Gospels.

Advertisement

Lindisfarne Gospels Durham is on show at Durham University's Palace Green Library until 30 September 2013. For more information, visit www.lindisfarnegospels.com

A page from Lindisfarne Gospels.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting the life of St Cuthbert. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting St Cuthbert. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting a bird of prey. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting John the Evangelist.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting John the Evangelist. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels.
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting St Matthew.
St Matthew is shown accompanied by his traditional symbol, the figure of a man, and by a second figure peering out from behind a curtain. (The British Library Board)
A page from Lindisfarne Gospels depicting St Matthew's Gospel.
St Matthew's Gospel opens with the Latin words: 'Liber generationis iesu christi' (The book of the generation of Jesus Christ). (The British Library)
A Victorian front cover of Lindisfarne Gospels.
A Victorian front cover of Lindisfarne Gospels. The Gospels’ original leather binding, long since lost, was made by Ethelwald, who succeeded Eadfrith as bishop. The manuscript is now bound in covers made in 1852 at the expense of Edward Maltby, bishop of Durham. (The British Library Board)
Advertisement
Advertisement

Tick a loved one of your festive gift list - Save 56% when you gift a print subscription, include HistoryExtra Membership

Subscribe now
Advertisement