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Ruthwell Cross. General view.
SC 747875
Description Ruthwell Cross. General view.
Date 20/7/1896
Collection Papers of Erskine Beveridge, antiquarian, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Catalogue Number SC 747875
Category On-line Digital Images
Copy of DF 897
Scope and Content Ruthwell Cross, Ruthwell Church, Dumfries & Galloway, showing the front and side The Ruthwell Cross, an Anglican Cross with Latin and runic inscriptions, is the most important monument of its kind in Scotland. It stands in a purpose-built apse in Ruthwell Church near Annan on the Solway Firth, and probably dates from the early 8th century when the Anglicans established a bishopric at Whithorn. This photograph of the front and side of the cross was taken by Erskine Beveridge in 1896. The arms of the cross were renewed in 1823 when the cross was restored, and when the head was apparently put on back to front. The broad front face (right) of the shaft bears a ladder-like grid of borders, each carved with Latin or runic inscriptions and each framing a panel of carved figures illustrating scenes from the life of Christ. The narrower side of the cross is carved with birds and animals set among spiralling foliage, and the margins are inscribed with runes, letters of the alphabet used by the Anglo-Saxons from about the 3rd century AD. The Ruthwell Cross has been described as having 'the most complete theological programme of any surviving cross'. It achieves this in a series of inscribed, mainly Latin, words and sculptured panels that appear on the broad faces. These panels describe and illustrate the divinity and power of Christ, and show examples of the Christian life, such as observance to God's call, conversion, penitence, and action and contemplation. The narrow sides of the cross have animated scrolls and runes which are related to the theme of Creation, and spell out a version of the Anglo-Saxon religious poem, 'The Dream of the Rood'. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/747875
File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap
Attribution: © Courtesy of HES. (Erskine Beveridge Collection).
Licence Type: Full
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