The Four Principles of Design and The
Book of Kells, Plate XV
Contrast: Besides the contrast of black
and white there is the contrast of large decorative
letters with the normal calligraphy of the text, including the word "ET" in the paragraph text.
In addition there are some smaller decorative elements that also contrast with the body text.
The author used some different decorative elements that provide a more subtle contrast between lines of text. This can be seen in the word "FUIT". The same is true with the word "QUI" as it is written over and over down the page. The first "QUI" is more decorative with a human image included the word gets slightly smaller after that on the page.
letters with the normal calligraphy of the text, including the word "ET" in the paragraph text.
In addition there are some smaller decorative elements that also contrast with the body text.
The author used some different decorative elements that provide a more subtle contrast between lines of text. This can be seen in the word "FUIT". The same is true with the word "QUI" as it is written over and over down the page. The first "QUI" is more decorative with a human image included the word gets slightly smaller after that on the page.
Repetition: There is much repetition. The
text itself is repetitive. The initials and words
are repeated many times in the list. Those words are also divided into columns. There
are three columns across the page. The decorative initials repeat, but are not exactly
the same. There is a small flower motif that repeats and seems to serve no other purpose
than to align and balance the text. There are some other symbols in the 3rd column of text
that seem to have more meaning, but I can't be certain without reading an analysis of a
scholar on the subject. That seems to strengthen the text and aid in the repetitive nature of
the lines, but that would not be the only thing they accomplish. The small repeat of a
human in the lower right corner serves to balance the human figure in the first "QUI" initial
and the word "ET".
are repeated many times in the list. Those words are also divided into columns. There
are three columns across the page. The decorative initials repeat, but are not exactly
the same. There is a small flower motif that repeats and seems to serve no other purpose
than to align and balance the text. There are some other symbols in the 3rd column of text
that seem to have more meaning, but I can't be certain without reading an analysis of a
scholar on the subject. That seems to strengthen the text and aid in the repetitive nature of
the lines, but that would not be the only thing they accomplish. The small repeat of a
human in the lower right corner serves to balance the human figure in the first "QUI" initial
and the word "ET".
Alignment: As I have already stated the
repetitive flower motif serves to align text in
rows and also to the edge of the page. The symbols in the 3rd column, setting any
possible meaning aside, also align the text in rows and to the edge of the page. The flower
motif and symbols also serve to align the text in columns. The paragraph text is aligned
at the top of the page while the visually heavier columns run across the bottom 2/3 of the
page. All of the text itself is aligned left, typical of western culture.
rows and also to the edge of the page. The symbols in the 3rd column, setting any
possible meaning aside, also align the text in rows and to the edge of the page. The flower
motif and symbols also serve to align the text in columns. The paragraph text is aligned
at the top of the page while the visually heavier columns run across the bottom 2/3 of the
page. All of the text itself is aligned left, typical of western culture.
Proximity: The columns allow for
proximity. They enable all of the "QUI"s,
"FUIT"s,
and the name text to be compartmentalized. The paragraph text also exists within its own
compartment. Even though the word "ET" is in the paragraph text it is still in close
proximity to the words "QUI" and therefore does not seem unbalanced. The small human
in the lower right is necessary for the visual balance of the page.
and the name text to be compartmentalized. The paragraph text also exists within its own
compartment. Even though the word "ET" is in the paragraph text it is still in close
proximity to the words "QUI" and therefore does not seem unbalanced. The small human
in the lower right is necessary for the visual balance of the page.
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