Gouache & ink on vellum

Josep Batlle replicates knot work and spirals from the Lindisfarne Gospels & the Book of Kells.


Gouache & ink on vellum


Spanish calligrapher and artist Josep Batlle, has devised a theory that the scribes of the high Celtic art manuscripts may have worked with metal coils to create their hundreds upon hundreds of spirals.  An article in the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society (CLAS) Journal, V.12 Issue 5 Summer 2007, introduced by Irish calligrapher Denis Brown, lead me to contact Josep and explore this theory with him.

Josep has kindly created these spirals and knot work for me to share with you.  Recently I gave an evening presentation for the gathering of calligraphers from all around the world at the Calligraphy Northwest Conference in Portland, Oregon.  Over the weeklong conference many people followed up with me to view some of these tiny & incredibly intricate pieces of work Josep produced just for this event. Here are a couple again for those who were unable to be there.

I appreciate Josep's support and thank him for his efforts.  For more information on Josep Batlle please visit his website here.

Comments

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said…
Really interesting possibilities, Gemma and love these examples - thanks for sharing, Shaz In Oz.x
July 16, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Gemma Black said…
My pleasure Shaz. My heartfelt thanks to Josep for sharing his extraordinary skill and love for the high celtic art period.
July 17, 2012 at 12:24 PM
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