What Is Celtic Art?
There is a difference in how Celtic history and art is referred to. Archaeologists often refer to the Celtic period from about 1000 BC within the early European Iron Age.
Celtic Art on the other hand is referred to as the La Tene period. This is broadly from the 5th to 1st century BC and forward.
Much of what is called Celtic Art historically is referred to as Insular Art.
The true origins of this art may never be fully known. While historical findings has given evidence to likely origins there are complications.
These people go back to pre recorded history within Europe. Most artifacts are now lost to history for many were in wood or stone and have degraded or vanished with time.
What survived from earlier periods was metal working, but this is a rarer variety found in their art. It also was not commonplace among all the people in their time.
In terms of design, Celtic Art is largely ornamental. The most common element of art is the line. Often it incorporates spirals, key patterns, and knotwork.
While it can be traced to the Hallstatt culture, there are far more clear influences and artifacts in art from the La Tene culture. It was first believed that the development of this art was as a result of migration.
With research it would appear that different peoples adopted this art form through time by influence, settlement, and trade.
Though origins may not fully be known or realized, there is no doubt Celtic influences across Europe held great sway. Though the Romans would eventually conquer these territories the art would live on.
Additionally future generations that hold true to a more hereditary history would gravitate back to these roots .
Early European Development In Celtic Art
After the fall of Rome additional influences came into Europe. Christianity brought with it influences which began to blend with Celtic Art forms.
Another culture was born which claimed these roots although a different people separated by hundreds of years in time.
This period began roughly around the 5th century until the 12th century with the establishment of Romanesque Art. While these people were predominantly found within Britain and Ireland, the Celtic influence upon Europe held great sway.
Archeology has shown that this period of history in wood carving was the most dominant from any other era. More art was created with wood than any other medium available to these people.
Further influence would come from another culture with time. As the Norse came to expand across Europe they brought with them their culture and influence in art.
This impact would arrive with Norse settlements rather than raids in Britain. In time the assimilation of what came with them would further Celtic and Norse Art.
The Celtic Art Revival In Modern America
It would take until the mid 1800s for there to be a Celtic revival in culture and art. The Tara Brooch discovery in 1850 brought interest back into the focus of the public.
In turn it became popular to wear Celtic brooches and it was not long until further revival took place including that of literature.
This influence expanded into the Art Nouveau. The art crossed the Atlantic and found roots within the late 1800’s and early 1900’s America.
Men such as Thomas O’Shaughnessy became known for Celtic stain glass work. Architects such as Louis Sullivan adopted Celtic influences within his art.
This popularity predominantly came at the turn of the century at 1900 and was found largely within Irish American populations.
By the 1920s the Art Deco movement was in full swing. Though it began around 1910 it would be after World War 1 that depth and cultivation in this movement would be found.
Here too Celtic Art continued to grow and expand among many English speaking cultures and nations.
The Celtic Renaissance
It has been more than 100 years since the revival of Celtic Art began. Needless to say it is not going away anytime soon.
Within Great Britain this renaissance came more readily and quickly than in other places. By the mid 1900s it was creating a wave that would sweep English nations.
By the 1990’s there was exponential growth in manufacturers, artists, crafters, and retailers which supported a wide variety of products.
This includes retailers who’s sole product base was for Celtic designs and art. With this came the influence in other areas.
Additional counter culture movements aided in facilitating this new renaissance. As people began to turn to more organic products in the early 2000’s then came fashion with its influence.
It is a more earth based idea utilizing things such as hemp or bamboo for making clothing. Jewelry itself turned to older fashions and design for inspiration.
While this movement had many people across wider spectrum of beliefs and backgrounds, fertile ground was found for Celtic Art influence.
Among the most influential cultures within the English world for these concepts was that of Celtic and Norse origins. It is here that this renaissance found its maturity in our time.
Today we find this movement blending cultural aspects which historically were separate. As the lines blur there are further adaptations to this art that is being used in new ways.
The modern artisan can often take the liberty to use this inspiration for beautiful work across a wide range of art mediums.
Modern Artisan And Craftsmen Use Of Celtic Art
In recent years there has been a revival of other old world techniques. Blacksmithing for example has found a niche within our culture that had before been forgotten.
Jewelry making has exploded with a wide variety of quality and quantity. One can find gold and silver jewelry. or simple wood art or leather made by small home vendors.
Among these people are those who have focused on Celtic Art and designs. Their work became so prolific and popular that the Celtic Tree Of Life could be found at places like Hobby Lobby for home decor.
These same prints can designs were also used for clothing. Home trends of recent years have aided in this rise of popularity across many areas of industry.
The most popular designs carry the traditional Celtic Knots or portray the Tree of Life. The Celtic Cross is also a popular favorite.
Today one cannot go into any store within America and not see this influence on the shelves that are made available to the public.
Despite its popularity the most traditional which often attempt to stay true to Celtic origins are those within metal working and woodworking.
There is a connection to these arts which makes these designs natural. Their first inception was within these same materials and thousands of years later they still remain being used in the same way.
As long as people continue to return to more organic ways removing the plastic world from being around them this culture will continue to grow.
As it grows additional adaptation will take place. Just as the Celts incorporated Norse Art we are beginning to see similar adaptation in our time.
Native American influence in art has garnered similar notoriety yet not on the same scale. What is interesting is how these two very different cultures find a common path among the artists as they blend these worlds.
Much has to do with where they came from and the commonalities they share rather than the differences in origin.
Historical Religious Impact On Celtic Art
Historically with the rise of Catholicism in early European culture, both Christian concepts and Celtic Art naturally blended into this art. This became so prolific that it crossed oceans to be found on different continents.
While this blending was not necessarily sanctioned by the “Church”, its roots can be found within Irish monasteries. These monasteries became centers of learning and influence.
Some of most notable early blending of these two cultures in Celtic Art can be found.
Bronze reliquaries have been uncovered which saw this work begin in the 7th century.
These were small boxes which were said to contain the relics of the Saints. This too began in Ireland and held influence in early Christian Celtic Art.
It is due to those such as St. Patrick and St. Columba that founded these early institutions that we have this art today. These men resided outside of the regular episcopal hierarchy and had more freedom in how they pursued these paths.
Some have claimed that the revival of this Celtic culture was as a result of the Church, yet this is not necessarily true.
The Ogham Stones is an example of an earlier revival of this Celtic culture before Christian involvement. These Celts adapted Roman inscription to develop a rudimentary writing system called the Ogham alphabet.
This took place somewhere between 300 and 400 AD.
Modern Religious Divergence
The irony is that today there is a clear divide in religious art when compared to history. To see this difference all one must do is visit older graveyards.
Tombstones often would have Celtic Crosses used to ornately decorate the stone. This could be found commonplace irregardless of nation, continent, and often denominational origin.
It would be a separatist movement within the Christian ranks that splintered off from the more Catholic origins that would eventually end this practice.
While Celtic religious art was still common among many in early American history, this would change by the mid to late 1800s. Denominations within the Christian movement returned to a more pure origin shedding many outside influences of history.
Today many evangelicals would view Celtic Christian Art as being of pagan origin, yet it is not necessarily true. Pagans never created the Celtic variations we know. It rather began with Irish monks.
The result of their work was a natural assimilation to an art form they already knew and practiced.
If anything this practice aided in the ease of spreading Christianity in Europe. Just as language is understood by those who speak similar dialects, art is the same in this way.
This was accomplished by what we call art symbols. People of that time would readily recognize the meaning and significance of the art they came into contact with.
Along with this would be the recognition of its message.
The modern Church obviously will never recognize many Celtic variations. In fact many continue to see them as Pagan in origin.
Within the United States specifically the culture has been blended, then diverged, and blended again over time. While many evangelicals retain a more pure return to their faith, this naturally omits Celtic influence.
This return to a pure view has caused some lacking in art among the modern Christian community. In their effort to remove idols there is little in terms of art which exists among them.
The greatest influences within Christian Art is still found within Catholic and Celtic origins.
If one wishes to know how powerful this Celtic influence can be all one must do is look at the Dalby Holy Cross Church built in 1040 AD. By 1104 AD these Nordic nations had their own Archdioceses which was under the Pope.
In essence while Viking traditions influenced the Celts, so did the Celt influence the Viking. They imported Christianity.
It is only natural that any people adapt a culture in the way that they know in language and art. It does not speak to pagan origin but rather to a transformation in culture.
This cannot be ignored in terms of how influential these times were.
Future Meaning Of Celtic Art
It is unclear how the future of Celtic Art will develop or if it will eventually end. It is no longer a fad but rather a broader influence within multiple counter cultures of the norm.
It may in time lose much of its religious meaning and then slowly return to its more basic roots.
At the present moment it resides within those who wish to return to a more simple way of life. Those who desire organic means by way of clothing, food, and feeling the grass beneath their feet are open to its symbolic meaning.
With this perhaps multiple versions of its influence will eventually be found.
I find it hard to believe that all religious aspects of its depth can be removed. Due to so little being retained from the original Celts before the Roman Empire most of what we have today shows great religious influence.
Nevertheless its design and art style is very adaptive for many purposes.