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Snakes, frogs, and lizards, oh my!

Follower of Bernard Palissy, rustic platter

by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Beth Harris

Christine de Pizan meets the three ladies and lays the foundation of the city of ladies, for The Queen's Manuscript, c. 1410–1414, f. 290r (Harley MS 4431, British Library) — Christine de Pizan was an author and intellectual and wasn't afraid to show the strength of women in the early 15th century.

Christine de Pizan and a City of ...

by Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank

Enguerrand Quarton(?), Pietà of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, c. 1455, oil on wood, 163 x 219 cm (Musée du Louvre) — This panel has one foot in the medieval tradition, but Christ’s body and the cleric’s face point to a new realism.

Enguerrand Quarton(?), Pietà of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker

The Harrowing of Hell, c. 1440-70, carved painted and gilt alabaster, 58.3 x 31.5 cm (Victoria and Albert Museum) — Straight from the monster’s mouth! Christ leads the way as Adam and Eve escape the jaws of Hell.

The Harrowing of Hell

by Dr. Nancy Ross and Dr. Paul Binski

Michael Pacher, St. Wolfgang Altarpiece, c. 1479-81 (Church of St. Wolfgang, St. Wolfgang, Austria) — This “total work of art” unites sculpture, painting, and architecture—and connects real space to a visionary realm.

Michael Pacher, St. Wolfgang Altarpiece

by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris

The Unicorn in Captivity (one of seven woven hangings popularly known as the Unicorn Tapestries or the Hunt of the Unicorn)- detail — This is a creature so pure it can’t be caught—maybe that’s why the meaning of the tapestry eludes us.

The Unicorn Tapestries

by Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris