Hugh Maguire selects a medieval stained-glass panel from the collection of the Hunt Museum, Limerick
An Angel with a Trumpet may seem like an obvious image for a Christmas choice. One thinks of Charles Wesley’s ‘Hark the herald angels sing’. But indeed not! This actual angel is more specifically an angel of judgement on the Last Day. So although not very vengeful looking we should instead think of John Donne (1572–1631):
‘At the round earth’s imagined corners blow
Your trumpets, angels, and arise, arise
From death, you numberless infinities
Of souls, and to your scattered bodies go…’
The realm of faith illustrated in the Book of Kells can be elusive to modern audiences; however, a new study by Bernard Meehan provides valuable insights into this peerless manuscript