Celtic art in Pagan and Christian times — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Celtic art in Pagan and Christian times
John Stuart Mill · en
In addition to the above there are the following, which are sacred or
ecclesiastical, but not, strictly speaking, Scriptural:—
-----------------------------+--------+---------+------+---------
|Ireland.|Scotland.|Wales.|Cornwall.
-----------------------------+--------+---------+------+---------
Symbols of Four Evangelists | — | 4 | — | —
Cherubim | — | — | 1 | —
Angels | — | 22 | — | —
Saints | — | — | — | —
Oranti | — | 1 | 3 | —
-----------------------------+--------+---------+------+---------
It appears, then, that the Scriptural subjects of most frequent
occurrence in Ireland are the Crucifixion, Adam and Eve, the Sacrifice
of Isaac, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and the scenes from the Life of
David; and in Scotland, the Crucifixion, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, the
Virgin and Child, and the symbols of the four Evangelists.
The subjects common to both Ireland and Scotland are Adam and Eve, Noah
(?), Sacrifice of Isaac, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, David and the Harp,
David and the Lion, Adoration of the Magi, Flight into Egypt, Miracle
of Loaves and Fishes, Crucifixion, Christ in Glory, Agnus Dei, Angels.
The subjects which occur in Ireland, but not in Scotland, are the
Three Children in the Furnace, David and Goliath, Baptism of Christ,
Resurrection, Last Judgment, Dextera Dei, Twelve Apostles. And those
which occur in Scotland, but not in Ireland, are Ascent of Elijah,
Raising of Lazarus, Jonah and the Whale, Annunciation, Salutation,
Miracle of Healing the Blind, Christ and Mary Magdalene, Lazarus.
Of the subjects on the early sculptured stones of Ireland and Scotland
the following belong to the cycle of subjects found on the paintings in
the Catacombs and the Sculptured Sarcophagi (A.D. 50 to 450):—
Adam and Eve. Daniel in the Lions’ Den.
Noah. Jonah and the Whale.
Sacrifice of Isaac. Adoration of Magi.
Three Children in the Furnace. Adoration of Magi.
Ascent of Elijah. Miracle of Healing the Blind.
The following subjects belong to the Lombardo-Byzantine period (A.D.
700-1100):—
David. Christ in Glory.
Baptism of Christ. Last Judgment.
Crucifixion. Agnus Dei.
Resurrection. Dextera Dei.
Flight into Egypt. Twelve Apostles.
Virgin and Child (apart from Magi). Symbols of the Four Evangelists.
Christ and Mary Magdalene. Angels.