Medieval Painting Altar Frontal with Man of Sorrows

Medieval Painting

Altar Frontal with Man of Sorrows and Saints Tapestry c. 1465

Adoration of the Shepherds Tempera on Wood 14 th Century

The Pentacost Enamel on Copper Gilt c. 1150

Christ in Majesty Illuminated Manuscript c. 1180

The Annunciation Stained Glass c. 1290

Illuminated Manuscript c. 1325

Illuminated Manuscript c. 1270

Virgin & Child with Saints Tempera on Wood c. 1230

Virgin & Child Enthroned Tempera & Gold on Wood c. 1350

Virgin and Child Tempera & Gold on Wood c. 1350

Coronation of Virgin with Trinity Oil on Panel c. 1400

Christ & Life of St. Martin Tempera on Panel & Stucco 1250

The Destruction of Jerusalem Tempera on Parchment c. 1415

Letter “B” from Monk’s Breviary Tempera & Gold on Parchment 1153

Canon Table Page (Index to Gospels) Tempera, Gold, Silver & Ink c. 1120

Ingeborg Psalter (Devotional Book) Tempera on Parchment Before 1210

Psalter of Blanche of Castille Illuminated Manuscript c. 1235

Westminster Psalter Illuminated Manuscript c. 1200

Page from Bible 1443

Locusts Come Upon the Earth Tempera, Gold & Ink on Parchment 1180

Scenes From the Life of Jesus Painted Wood 12 th Century

The Fight Between David and Goliath Fresco (mural) 1123

Christ and the Twelve Apostles Painted Wood c. 1100

Nativity Painted Wood c. 1200

Scenes From the Life of St. Benedict Tempera on Wood 1300

The Life of St. Eulalia Tempera on Wood c. 1350

Madonna & Child With Saints & Crucifixion Tempera on Wood

Annunciation Mosaic 1291

Nativity of the Virgin Mosaic 1291

The Deposition Tempera, Gold, Silver & Ink on Parchment 1469

St. Margaret Tempera, Gold, Silver & Ink on Parchment 1469

St. Margaret detail: Dragon and Eagle

Okay, What Have We Seen? Religious Subject Matter & Symbolism

Lack of Individualization Cookie Cutter Faces

Lack of Emotion: “Zombie” Look

Lack of Anatomical Realism Check the Size of Mary’s Hand

Multi-Directional Feet

The Famous Mr. Sideways Head

Big Kid!

How old is this “baby” Jesus?

No Sense of a Real Body Under the Clothing Pin the Hand on Goliath!

Composition: Lack of Single, Coherent Scene

Two Dimensional: No Depth

Why Do They Look Like This? • Monks, not Professional Artists • Served Purpose: teach illiterates about Christianity • Focus on Afterlife, not Secular world