Contemporary forms of Celtic art

Laura Cameron Illustrations 

She was fascinated so much by Celtic art that she got a book called Celtic Art,Methods of Construction by George Brian. Through this book and her own interpretations she created these illustrations.

Celtic Lion Letter "T" (Book of Kells) Charcoal on brown paper, 30X30. Work in Progress

Symbols like these are found in the Illuminated Manuscripts accompanied by the knotwork.

Triple Wolves--Charcoal and color pencil on rag paper

Apart from the wolves being connected their legs are intertwining which also shows zoomorphism in her work

Celtic Sphinx--4X10 Charcoal and Pastel on Rag paper

Another example where in this case she combined Egyptian sphinx with Celtic are and design

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CGafford

Celtic Knot Paw print - Blue

In this case the artist implemented Celtic Knotwork to build up a digital representation of a paw print

Kerri Ann Crau

Macha

In this digital artwork the Celtic design is used to adorn the edges of her hood.

Smurfesque

Zoomorphic winged beasts

Through the used of digital media this artist conveys zoomorphic design on more non-traditional animals. Also the  uses of bright colours are similar to the Illuminated manuscripts such as the book of kells.

Alot more digital Celtic art could be found at : http://www.redbubble.com/explore/celtic+digital?page=2

Crane and the Foote Arts

Though the animals are drawn in a realistic manner the back drop is purly Celtic in design as the knotwork is apparent also the lion may have conveyed various meaning which is strength and bravery.

Celtic Pottery Studios

Celtic Crystalline, Chalice and Patins along with a small Celtic vase.

/Utilasing a clay medium the artist created chalices and this vase with distinctive Celtic attributes such ass the famous Celtic cross and a small patch of knotwork on the vase. Trough the use of ceramics traditional Celtic design was combined with modern techniques

Lynette Erwin

Ivory Celtic lace knit

This design also traveled to fashion where in this example this whole dress is built upon build using Celtic knot work through today's modern technology this was possible 

Sources : 

Celtic Inspired Fashion / IVORY CELTIC LACE KNIT.... 2013. Celtic Inspired Fashion / IVORY CELTIC LACE KNIT.... [ONLINE] Available at:http://pinterest.com/pin/106186503684645528/. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=433265173360181&set=a.433265033360195.98242.245972868756080&type=1&theater. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Inspired Art - Crane and Foote Arts. 2013. Celtic Inspired Art - Crane and Foote Arts. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.craneandfootearts.com/celtic-inspired-art. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic: Digital Art | Redbubble. 2013. Celtic: Digital Art | Redbubble. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.redbubble.com/explore/celtic+digital?page=2. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic-Inspired | Northwest Visions Studio–Art by Laura Cameron. 2013.Celtic-Inspired | Northwest Visions Studio–Art by Laura Cameron. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.lauracameron.net/?page_id=956. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Inspired movies

The Celtic design is found in several movies though not in context or historically correct these designs were implemented in order to bring out the best result.

Outlander. 

Promotional release poster

"A spacecraft crash lands in a large lake in Norway, circa 709 AD."

Gunnars (Ron Perlman) Earring

Distinctive knot work on this bracelet.

Outlander (2008), Gunnar's War Hammers

 Though simplistic shows characteeristics of celtic design

Outlander (2008), Hrothgar's Special Effects Sword

Hilt of the sword displaying zoomorphic designs

Brave heart

Wallace bearing the blue war paint made from woad.

How to train your dragon 

Though a viking film his shoulder plates bear Celtic knot work designs.

Boondocks saints 

Around their neck are Celtic crosses inscribed with Celtic designs.

King Arthur 

Keera Knightly bearing woad markings though  not similar to Celtic design

Brave

Animated movie boasting a wide variety of Celtic artifacts and designs.

Celtic Crosses

Ahenny South Cross

Celtic crosses or High crosses are one of the the things Celtic art is most famous for. They are found throughout Ireland . These were used to mark meeting points or boundaries others may have been used in religious ceremonies.




















A link containing the locations of these Celtic crosses: Celtic crosses location in Ireland

Castledermot South Cross

The earliest found crosses were made of wood and metal. later crosses were made of stone, these free standing structures were richly decorated and a unique tradition. These were also probably painted and over a modeled layer of plaster but due to the weathering effects these faded throughout the centuries.























The earlier crosses were 2 meters in height but other crosses which are found in Ireland were even bigger , being up to 3 times higher holding wide proportions compared to the other crosses. Some crosses contain an intersecting ring coining it the Celtic cross, this symbolizes Celtic Christianity.

During the Celtic revival these crosses were being used as burial markers.

High  Crosses:

Ardboe

Found along the shore of Lough Neagh, St Colman founded a monetary in the 6th century.

At the the entrance this cross is found, third largest of of its kind standing roughly 5.6 meters tall.

On this cross we find biblical stories the right side bears:

"1. Adoration of Magi.

2. Wedding at Canna.

3. Loaves and Fishes.

4. Christ enters Jerusalem

5. Mocking or Arrest of Christ ?"

The West Head bears a crucifixion scene.

Market Cross

Thought of as being the most famous high cross. Found in Kells, this cross stands 3.35 meters high though not originally situated there it now stands in front of the Heritage Center.

The center of the East face depicts Daniel in the lions den, to the left of it the sacrifice of Isaac, the right bearing the temptation of St Anthony.

The west face bears the Crusifiction on the top part below it the loaves and fishes.

Many other stories are depicted on this cross.

Base East Face

North face









South Face








West Face









Sources:



The High Crosses of Ireland. 2013. The High Crosses of Ireland. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.megalithicireland.com/High%20Cross%20Home.htm. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic cross - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Celtic cross - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_cross. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic High Cross - symbols of Ireland's ancient past. 2013. Celtic High Cross - symbols of Ireland's ancient past. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Celtic-high-cross.html. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Design

Styles through the Era.

Hallstatt - Tribal Geometric in design consisting of repeated patterns. Through this repetition the design seems more complex and complicated.










La Tene - Developed into spiral and leaf shape designs also animal and human faces may appear depending on the view point










Knot work Interlace - The most famous Celtic design. This design looks like a woven strips that weave into each other. Generally made up of 1 continuous strip










Spirals - Sometimes called Triskelion where a center point would have 3 swirls emerging from it. May be found as double, triple or quadruple swirls.










Zoomorphics - The practice of implementing animals in thee design.  The animals are twisted and fused into the design leaving claws tails as the only loos ends .. each animal had its own meaning.









Maze and Step Patterns -  A Geometric form of spirals looking closely it forms a maze like pattern . in my opinion it resembles the Greeks.









People - People were also depicted in Celtic designs the extremities such as hair and limbs are fused into the knot work designs.

Zoomorphic animal meanings:

Hounds - loyalty
Lions - nobility, strength
Snakes - rebirth (Dragon or serpent designs may be interpreted the same as snakes)
Birds - purity (peacocks) or nobility (eagles)
Salmon - knowledge
Bull - strength
Boar - ferocity, strength

Sources : 

Aon Celtic Art. 2013. Aon Celtic Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.aon-celtic.com/trade_history_meanings.html. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Revival

Introduction

Gaul god Sucellus

Celtic culture and art was being forgotten in time only to be found in Scotland and Ireland during the 19th century. Then Celtic art had an interesting surge in popularity. People started to discover more, started to practice the traditions and seeking to learn and understand the Celtic art. Some called it the Celtic renaissance.

What was the cause 

The growing of Irish nationalism  where the Irish where being suppressed and a form of political rebellion was to revive the ancient ways  being their historical past, myths, legends, and folklore

George Petrie

The Irish antiquarian movement also played part led by George Petrie where they started to acquire many manuscripts, metalwork, artworks  such as the Ardagh Chalice














Literary movement led by WB Yeats accompanied by Lady Gregory and Edwward Martyn Yeats formed an Irish literary Theater ( the Abbey Theater ) to promote Irish literature. Works developed where Playboy of the Western world (1907) and The Plough and the Stars among others.

J.M. Synge

"First produced in 1907, this play sent shock waves through the dramatic world, pushing the limits of decency and stoking an already red-hot nationalistic fire. Though met with near instant rioting and controversy, it is now considered a masterpiece of poetic drama."

The script can be found here : http://www.bartleby.com/1010/

Discoveries at Hallstatt in Australia and La Tene in Switzerland sparked further interest among the European Cultures and Celtic Cultures.

Revival in Fine Arts

James Barry Self Portrait

Artists such as James Barry showed Irish history as a part of their paintings to show and give off  a sense of Irish Identity. The young Ireland movement tried to use Contemporary Irtish art to again make a point in politics, this was transmitted through newspaper The Nation listed historical subjects for artists to use on their canvas. This influenced many painters. In the 20th century, it took a different turn it stopped conveying political messages and focused on medium and art itself.

This image shows the point of Irish myths being Irish Identity.

James Barry (Irish, 1741-1806), The Education of Achilles, c.1772, Yale Center for British Art, Connecticut

Other James Barry Works: http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/james-barry/paintings/slideshow#/12

Sources:

Blueboy's Journey with Art. 2013. Blueboy's Journey with Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://thisblueboy.tumblr.com/post/36922184880/james-barry-irish-1741-1806-the-education-of. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

File:Gaul god Sucellus.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013.File:Gaul god Sucellus.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gaul_god_Sucellus.jpg. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Synge, J.M. 1911. The Playboy of the Western World. 2013. Synge, J.M. 1911. The Playboy of the Western World. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.bartleby.com/1010/. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Arts Revival Movement: Irish Art/Crafts, Nineteenth Century. 2013.Celtic Arts Revival Movement: Irish Art/Crafts, Nineteenth Century. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/cultural-history-of-ireland/celtic-art-revival-movement.htm. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Fine Arts in the Celtic Revival. 2013. Fine Arts in the Celtic Revival. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.victorianweb.org/art/design/celtic/ringel10.html. [Accessed 19 May 2013].

Celtic Eras (Early Middle ages /Insular)

"Celtic Art In The 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."

Celtic tribes in Britain and Ireland

Largely in Ireland where Celtic  heritage was unbroken  living through the time where Romans where in control of Britain  the Romans never managed to get to Ireland in the 7th and 8th centuries This art mixed with Germanic traditions utilizing missionary contacts with the  Anglo- Saxons. At the end of the era Vikings added Scandinavian influences.

These Celtic missionaries traveled to Britain and with them the carried the tradition of manuscript illumination which in turn combined with the Anglo-Saxon metalworking knowledge. From then this art was carried back to Ireland  and they started calling it insular.

Carpet Page of the Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 698-721 CE

Due to Viking trading and raiding  silver became popular use as a medium in the 9th and 19th century, whit this broaches of exquisite quality and craftsmanship where created in Ireland.  Also in this time manuscripts where being less produces .Sculptures began to be more prominent such as the high cross, This reached its best in the 10th century and has left examples such as the Muiredach's Cross.

Muiredach's High Cross

Tara Brooch 

The influence of the vikings on Irish art was seen in the late 11th century when metal works began to imitate  Scandinavian styles.

Sources:

Celtic art - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Celtic art - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_art#Celtic_revival. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

A History Of Celtic Art - Celtic Art Facts And Information. 2013. A History Of Celtic Art - Celtic Art Facts And Information. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.celticjeweler.plazadiscounts.com/page2.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

lindisfarne gospels | Tumblr. 2013. lindisfarne gospels | Tumblr. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/lindisfarne%20gospels. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Muiredach's High Cross - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013.Muiredach's High Cross - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muiredach's_High_Cross. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Celtic Eras ( Hallstatt , La Tene )

Hallstatt

Timespan: 1200 BC - 475 BC

"Hallstatt culture is characterised in 4 stages, according to James(2005: 21): A & B late Bronze Age, from c 1200 to 700 BC; C Early Iron Age, from c700-600 BC; D from c 600 to 475 BC"

This culture lived throughout central Europe its center being an area around Hallstatt in Central Austria. During the beginning of the period trade had already been established . They had access to tin and copper (the base materials of copper) also had access to salt which was used to preserve food. These helped the culture to grow and prosper from the beginning. In 800 BC during burial excavations wheeled wagons and iron swords were found.

Hallstatt burial site, a collection of 19th century watercolours. Page with names of the persons present at the discovery of the site.

In 700-600 BC fortified settlements were founded in the north of the Alps. Burial mounds were found in these settlements containing expensive items at the time such as vehicles and imported treasures.

During the last period Hallstatt burial grounds were closer on more major hill forts in the southwest region . this implies that there was that wealth and social power was focused on this area.

Hallstatt Findings

Celtic German Craftsmanship

Hallstatt amber necklace

Golden neck ring from Uttendorf, Hallstatt culture, ca. 550 BC.

Bronze Tool

Hallstatt Designs

Gives of the primitive feeling as it cotains a great deal of geometric design. Built on maze like design and repeated patterns

Sources:

Aon Celtic Art. 2013. Aon Celtic Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.aon-celtic.com/trade_history_meanings.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

File:Linz Schlossmuseum - Uttendorf Halsreifen.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. File:Linz Schlossmuseum - Uttendorf Halsreifen.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Linz_Schlossmuseum_-_Uttendorf_Halsreifen.jpg. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Lessing Photo Archive - Hallstatt burial site, a collection of 19th . 2013.Lessing Photo Archive - Hallstatt burial site, a collection of 19th . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.lessing-photo.com/dispimg.asp?i=070101+3+&cr=79&cl=1. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

How old is English?. 2013. How old is English?. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.proto-english.org/l41.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

The Iron Age in Europe. 2013. The Iron Age in Europe. [ONLINE] Available at: http://archaeology.about.com/b/2011/03/20/the-iron-age-in-europe.htm. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Tours: The World of Ancient Art. 2013. Tours: The World of Ancient Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/tours/europe3.asp. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. 2013. Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. [ONLINE] Available at: http://celts.etrusia.co.uk/celtic_cultures.php. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

La Tene

Timespan: C 500 BC To C 15 BC

During this period the Celts started to venture out of their borders, expanding and migrating. Named after the location in which they were first discovered being a site in  Switzerland. 

"France to Bohemia, the La Tene culture spread rapidly from about 400 BC. The La Tene Celts settled in Spain in 450 BC, in Northern Italy in 400 BC, invaded Rome in 390 BC, invaded Greece in 279 BC, invaded Galatia (in modern Turkey) in 270 BC. By 200 BC, they occupied the lands that are now Britain, the Netherlands, Brittany, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland."

This period was more focused on military might rather than cultural expansion. Weapons and armor were as commonly found as the jeweler and other everyday items.

La Tene Findings

Strettweg Cart

A 1st century BCE mirror found in Desborough , Northants, showing the spiral and trumpet theme.

Witham Shield

Turoe Stone

La Tene Design

 A Grate amount of spirals and leaf shaped design implemented in the work. Extreamly organic and animals and faces could appear depending on the view point.

Sources: 

Aon Celtic Art. 2013. Aon Celtic Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.aon-celtic.com/trade_history_meanings.html. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. 2013. Celts - Hallstatt and La Tene cultures. [ONLINE] Available at: http://celts.etrusia.co.uk/celtic_cultures.php. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Tours: The World of Ancient Art. 2013. Tours: The World of Ancient Art. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.waa.ox.ac.uk/XDB/tours/europe3.asp. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

La Tène culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. La Tène culture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_T%C3%A8ne_culture. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

“Strettweg Cart” (7th century BCE), found in... - Fuck Yeah Vikings & Celts!. 2013. “Strettweg Cart” (7th century BCE), found in... - Fuck Yeah Vikings & Celts!. [ONLINE] Available at:http://fuckyeahvikingsandcelts.tumblr.com/post/14657877699/strettweg-cart-7th-century-bce-found-in. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Battlefield chic: the Witham Shield | Art and design | guardian.co.uk . 2013.Battlefield chic: the Witham Shield | Art and design | guardian.co.uk . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/picture/2012/jul/19/witham-shield-story-of-british-art. [Accessed 18 May 2013].

Turoe Stone, Co. Galway, Ireland. 2013. Turoe Stone, Co. Galway, Ireland. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.mythicalireland.com/ancientsites/turoe/. [Accessed 18 May 2013].