The Celtic Inspirations of Desmond Kyne

Celtic art is an incredible old art style that has been around since 1,000 BC according to a site called The Artist. It is an art form marked by its knots, spirals, and other nonlinear geometric shapes. Usually, this style of art stays away from figured subjects, but if they are present they are usually simplified. It's a simplified yet intricate style of art.

Celtic art is marked by its unique style and cultural ties. Its pieces usually represent cultural events and or moral values within Celtic culture. This style focuses on themes of infinite love, community, unity and loyalty.

Stainglass design by Desmond Kyne that is currently held in Colorado by his nephew Eian McKinley. Photo taken by, Kyra McKinley 

This unique art form has inspired many over the years and continues to do so. One of the style's modern-day artists was Desmond Kyne. He was an Irish-born artist who was heavily inspired by Celtic art. Kyne did many types of art but was best known for Irish stained glass art.

“Desmond is the first child of seven kids. He grew up in the city of Swanlinbar which is a border city in the Republic of Ireland. Eventually, he and some of his brothers moved to London which is where he began studying art,” according to Rosin Laskin who is a heritage expert with a certificate from The University of Boston.

“He studied Art at Saint Martins in London; it was then and still is the premier art school in the United Kingdom,” Dee Kyne said, who is Desmond’s daughter. Following his studies in London Dee said he began doing design work.

Eventually, Desmond began creating stained glass art. His pieces were heavily inspired by Irish historical events and Celtic designs. His work was flushed with color, spirals, and meaning.

One of his most well-known pieces is Our Lady of Knock. This piece is the impiety of Celtic stained-glass work. Its design is filled with intricate scenes and sprails. Additionally, it represents a significant Irish event.

Image of a stain glass piece done by Desmond Kyne. Photo taken by, Mutal Art. 

The piece depicts the appreciation of Saint Mary in Knock which many claim took place back in the early 1800s. According to the site Roman Catholic Saints,  “Our lady was wearing a bright brilliant crown and clothed in white garments. On her right was Saint Joseph, his head inclined towards her, and on her left Saint John the evangelist. The right of Saint John was an altar on which stood a cross and a lamb.” Many people still visit the site to pray as they believe it has been sanctified by Mary’s visit. Celtic art is typically centered around historical events or values. This is greatly seen within the deprecation of Kyne’s Our Lady of Knock pieces.

Along with the depiction of historical events, Celtic pieces focus on cultural themes such as everlasting love, community, and unity. as well. This is seen within Desmond’s work as he often depicted Christian historical events within Ireland, that feature the everlasting love of God among other Christian themes. Which was seen in Our Lady of Knock and another one of his other pieces inspired by an image from the Book of Kells.

It would be an injustice to overview Celtic art without mentioning the Book of Kells. This is a book created by Irish Monks that contains the New Testament of The Bible. The pages of the book all feature colorful Celtic designs that look as though they are stained glass pieces themselves. The book heavily persevered many Celtic designs. Desmond and his brother Brendan worked on images from the book and turned them into stained glass pieces, according to Desomnds daughter Dee.

This piece from the Book of Kells is signed by Brendan, but it is one they could have worked on together. It features the unique figure style seen in Celtic art. They are heavily simplified, but this simplification in turn amplifies them and the image. The figures' layered colors and no linear geometric lines add captivating composition to the pieces, which is seen within this piece.

“The Book of Kells pieces are stunningly beautiful and its wonderful they’ve taken the Book of Kells into modern art. Desmond did a great job doing this with historical pieces so people can enjoy them in today’s age as well,”  Eian Mckinley said who is the nephew of Desmond. 

Image of a stain glass piece done by Desmond Kyne currently in Colorado held by his nephew Eian McKinley. Photo taken by, Kyra McKinley.

According to Laskin, Desmond did artistic work into his 80’s, continuing to develop his style as an Irish Celtic-inspired artist. “As he gained a bit of notary some of those pieces he’d do on a larger scale that would be put into churches. Over the years he received commission work that was given on behalf of the Republic of Ireland to a former Pope, the former Queen of England, and others,” said Laskin.

Desmond passed in 2021, but his work still continues to circle the art world with many pieces on auction and held within cathedrals throughout Europe. as well.