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Celtic Alphabets & Initials

By Courtney Davis
Published by Blandford Press
(1997)
ISBN 0-7137-2804-3

Although the early Celtic peoples had no written language, the artistic style now recognized as being traditionally Celtic became especially refined in the post-Christian era of that art form. In the early Celtic church, the monastic life was one of isolated work, celibacy and dedication. The period saw the rise of the great religious works, which culminated in the wonderfully illuminated Gospels and illustrated great manuscripts. While the most celebrated of these remain the Book of Kells, the Book of Durrow, and the Lindisfarne Gospels, they are probably only a small part of what was produced over many generations, by unknown scribes and artists. In their desire to produce beautiful and celebratory manuscripts, the Celtic style of art was adapted to versions of the existing universal Roman alphabet of the time - itself derived from the classic Greek script, whose first two Letters, alpha and beta, actually give us the word 'alphabet'. In the inevitable incorporation of Celtic styles into written script, there emerged in the Celtic Gospels, and manuscripts especially, a distinctive Celtic style of lettering and of written alphabets - a style which whether written, or in typeset and printed adaptation, remains distinctive and recognizable to this day. With additional informative text by writer and researcher John Towsey, the renowned Celtic spiritual artist Courtney Davis has taken the opportunity of his fiftieth year to reflect upon and celebrate the great works of those unknown Celtic scribes whose timeless work first inspired him. In reinterpreting, explaining and depicting the richness of the decorated initials and the diversity of the alphabets, Courtney Davis has produced a worthy successor to his previous black-and-white titles Celtic Borders and Decoration and Celtic Ornament, as well as adding to his wider range of inspiring titles on Celtic art.

A4 paperback book contains 96 pages of B/W illustrations.

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