There are just a few days left to be able to view the Lindisfarne Gospels in Newcastle where the famous illustrated manuscript is nearing the end of a rare visit to its 'home' region.
And a special online offer of half-price tickets is running during its closing days. The book, classed as one of the world's treasures, is currently on exhibition in the city but it is soon to be packed away and transported back to London under the same high security measures that accompanied its arrival.
The famous book went on display in September at Laing Art Gallery in the city centre where even staff had not been told of the exact arrival time, nor were allowed to watch its transfer to a display case, such is the level of red tape that surrounds any move out of the capital where it forms part of the British Library collection.
Read more: The arrival of The Lindisfarne Gospels in Newcastle
The Lindisfarne Gospels - created on Holy Island in Northumberland by Eadfrith, the monk who became Bishop there, in 698 - is considered the most spectacular surviving manuscript from early medieval Britain and its loan to the gallery sees it form the centrepiece of a three-room exhibition which sets the ancient volume in context and draws parallel with the world today
It is not often exhibited outside of the British Library. This is its first visit to Newcastle in 22 years - although it went on show in Durham in 2013 - and a return to the region of its birth is always seen as extra special.
Its 11-week display at the Laing, where it is housed in a glass case and opened at decorative pages introducing the Gospel of St John, ends on December 3. There are still tickets available to see it and to explore the full exhibition.
Curated by Turner-Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller, this includes an immersive digital projection tracing the Gospels' history; a mix of rare objects - from jewellery to carved stones - reflecting changing beliefs over time and other loans including another from the British Library: the St Cuthbert Gospel, which is the oldest intact European book, plus grave goods from some of the earliest converts to Christianity and items from the Staffordshire Hoard.
The Lindisfarne Gospels is opened at a cross-carpet page - so called because these pages in the book are said to look like oriental rugs; their decorations created at a time that prayer mats were known in Northumbria as well in the East. It includes the opening words of the Gospel of St John and features the manuscript's last major decoration, showing off a full flurry of its creator's skills.
The exhibition also has some photographs, drawings and paintings, including religious works by Old Masters; others by Romantic painters seeking spiritual experience through nature and explorations of deep questions in life by contemporary artists.
The partnership approach that secured the Gospels for display is a coup for the Laing whose other previous stand-out loans have included works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci.
Julie Milne, chief curator of art Galleries for Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said it has been "wonderful" to exhibit The Lindisfarne Gospels in the North East "where it was created 1,300 years ago", adding: "We’ve had a fantastic response from visitors to the exhibition so far and, with only a short time left, we hope as many people as possible take this special opportunity to see this rare, precious artefact which is such an important part of our region’s history and heritage."
Dr Xerxes Mazda, head of collections and curation at the British Library, called the Gospels "one of the greatest manuscripts in our care" and said it represents "an extraordinary artistic achievement of national and international significance".
It is on display at the Laing daily from 10am to 7.30pm, with last entry at 6.30pm. The new 50% discount offer on online tickets is available for admissions between 2pm and 6.30pm right up to the last day and buyers have to use the discount code on the gallery's website.
It means, for instance, a visitor can enjoy an afternoon visit for £6 rather than £12.
Its display here has been sponsored by Ad Gefrin, the £14m Anglo-Saxon Museum and whisky distillery which is set to open in Wooler in spring 2023. Besides being home to the first Northumbrian English single salt whisky using Northumberland barley and water from the Cheviot Hills, Ad Gefrin will showcase the "hidden history" of the 7th century Anglo Saxon royal summer palace of the Northumbrian Kings and Queens.
This was discovered only four miles away at Yeavering and is said to be one of the 20th century’s most remarkable archaeological finds. That time was said to be a ‘Golden Age’ and it ultimately spawned The Lindisfarne Gospels.
Book tickets to see the Gospels here and for information about local cultural events inspired by the visit see here.
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