This exhibition features an array of different artworks from the medieval period beginning 1200 and ending 1399. Sculptures, glass windows, aquamaniles, and plaques are a few examples of what you will find here. The purpose of this exhibit is to give a glimpse of what the medieval artwork looked like during that specific time-frame. There are quite a few pieces focused on Christianity.
Casket with Scenes of Romances, French, 1330-1350 (Medieval), From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
This casket shows intricately carved pictures that represent love and heroism. This artwork was chosen because knights have always been apart of medieval times and are featured jousting in the very center and are located also to the left, in a battle to the Castle of Love. There are scenes from familiar stories of Aristotle and Phyllis, Tristan and Iseult. This detailed ivory box might have been a gift of courtship between two people. The place of origin is Paris, France.
This beautiful glass window picture features Christ and The Virgin showing their loving relationship with each other; Christ touching her chin and Madonna gazing sadly at Him. The glass portrait is meant to have simple yet bold colors and lines as to be seen from afar. This beautiful, colorful art is featured here because it is important for medieval times as it was located in a medieval church in the Cistercian Abbey of Klosterneuburg, one of the most important locations for medieval art in Europe.
Diptych Leaf with the Crucifixion and Flagellation, French, early 14th century (Medieval), From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
This ivory diptych's top register features Christ's crucifixion and the bottom features the flagellation. It is part of the 'Rose Group' of ivories, identified by the beautiful roses atop the piece of artwork. This artwork was chosen because it features images of Christ and his struggle, which is very common during medieval times.
Samson and Lion Aquamanile, Unknown, late 13th century - early 14th century, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
This aquamanile, or container used to hold water for hand-washing, features Samson wrestling a lion, which is from the Old Testament. Aquamaniles were common during the medieval times, but this one tells of a particularly unique and intense event that is well-known, which is why it is shown here.
Two Fishermen on a Sea Creature, about 1270, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This image shows a fabled sea creature, possibly a whale, that is so vast in size is it mistaken for an island. It translates to the meaning of the devil fooling humans into sinning. It is shown to be full of motion to portray the action of the large sea creature's battle with the humans taking place. This picture was chosen because it shows a medieval bestiary, which is usually associated with a moral lesson, and is very unique in itself.
The Virgin and Child in a Red Rose, Unknown, about 1480–1490, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This picture was chosen because it simply features the medieval charity of Mary, nursing Christ a the middle of a large, beautiful red rose. This relationship shown is very important and central to Christianity in the medieval times and also today. A rosary is pictured by the images of white and gold dots surrounding the huge flower. Rosaries were used since the early 1200's, and still are used by Christians for prayer and reflection. This lovely medieval piece signifies symbols and objects used still in our society today.
Bust of the Virgin, Unknown, ca. 1390-95, From the collection of: The Cloisters Museum and Gardens
The young Virgin is featured here, tilting her head downward. She is not shown to be happy or joyful. She is sad, hear head seemingly heavy from the crown, and her eyes look downward, signifying her resignation. This piece was chosen because it is the only known terracotta sculpture from medieval Bohemia.
Armor (Yoroi) of Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358), early–mid-14th century, From the collection of: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This is a medieval Japanese yoroi, shown by a piece of armor consisting of breastplate and backplate conjoined together. Yorois were worn by warriors from around the tenth to fourteenth century. The lacings that use to be on this important piece signified beauty and good luck. The front has stenciled leather with Fudo Myo-o, a Buddhist god. It is believed to have been given to a shrine near Kyoto, by someone by the name of Ashikaga Takauji. I chose this because it is not a common yoroi, and shows a side of medieval art not commonly seen, especially to those who are not familiar with Japanese medieval culture.
T'oros Roslin Gospels, T'oros Roslin, 1262 (Medieval), From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
This paper manuscript was made with moroccan leather. It was designed with beautiful alloyed silver and colored jewels. This narrative gospel was different than most traditional Evangelist portraits. It is an important piece from the medieval times, which is why it is featured here. It was of great importance to the Armenian church.
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This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
