Chester Beatty Library: Director's Choice

by Fionnuala Croke

•A beautifully illustrated guide to what has been described as 'the finest collection of manuscripts and books made by a private collector in the 20th century'•Features a wide array of texts - from the earliest known copies of the four gospels to Renaissance manuscripts, Islamic calligraphy and Japanese woodblock prints•Written from the uniquely informed view of the Library's DirectorThe Chester Beatty Library is rated among the top 10 places to visit in Dublin. Once the private library of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968), it is today a museum and one of Ireland's national cultural institutions. The collections comprise manuscripts, rare books and other treasures from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The Library's focus on global artistic heritage is unique in Ireland. Chester Beatty's relocation to Dublin from London in 1950 surprised many but, for a number of years, he had been concerned with how he might develop his private passion into an enduring legacy, and keeping the objects together was a priority for him. Once settled in Ireland, he built a library for his beloved collection and set up a Trust to ensure it would remain intact, for the benefit of the Irish nation. Today, the Library continues his ethos of ensuring the collections are accessible and engaging for visitors from all over the world. Fionnuala Croke, director of this exquisite collection, has selected over 30 works that will give the reader a sense of the quality and variety of Beatty's acquisitions, while featuring her own personal favorites.

80 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2017

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations of the best of the Chester Beatty collection, which you can visit for free in Dublin. I loved the detailed descriptions of the art pieces, while detailed still easy to understand. The art was also put in context well. I loved the close ups of some of the remarkable pieces. You’ll see works in particular from Japan, China, Iran, India, among others.

It was a treat to find this and keep it forever after a quick visit to the museum.

[Juan Manuel Gomez Arreola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this library