This unfinished Hebrew manuscript meant for a Passover ritual helps us understand how medieval manuscripts were made
Late Gothic art: c. 1200-1400
Many, many panels made up this massive altarpiece. Dedicated to Mary, it stood in the crossing of Siena Cathedral.
Duccio, Maestà
Through art and text, Elisha ben Abraham Cresques penned the Farhi Bible to preserve his religious and cultural heritage for his descendants.
Elisha ben Abraham Cresques and the Farhi ...
The Catalan Atlas reveals how one 14th-century Jewish mapmaker understood the political and ethnic realities of his world.
The Catalan Atlas
This is one of three known Hebrew Bibles that survive from the Crown of Castile in the 14th century
From Medieval Spain to the Ottoman Empire, ...
The Queen of Heaven presides over the space where government officials in Siena met to make decisions
Simone Martini, Maestà
The Ponte Vecchio is one of few surviving medieval urbanized bridges in all of Europe.
The Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”) in Florence
A rare altar frontal made for Santa Maria Novella in Florence that still survives after 700 years
A rare embroidery made for an altar ...
This is a Mary like we’ve never seen before—she’s more monumental and sits in a space that makes sense.
Giotto, The Ognissanti Madonna and Child Enthroned
Set against gleaming gold, Mary and Christ sit on an intricately carved throne studded with gems.
Cimabue, Virgin and Child Enthroned, and Prophets ...
Girl, interrupted—Mary’s initial reaction to Gabriel adds human experience to the dignity and grace of this scene.
Simone Martini, Annunciation
Sure, decorative patterns and prismatic color impress us now, but gold and ultramarine once broadcast value.
Duccio, Heaven on earth— The Rucellai Madonna
Take a tour of the Arena Chapel in virtual reality—it's almost as good as being there in person!
The Arena Chapel (and Giotto’s frescos) in ...
Simone Martini’s magnificent altarpiece of Saint Louis of Toulouse projects a legacy of sacred Angevin succession, a record of international exchange, and the story of a Franciscan saint
Simone Martini, Saint Louis of Toulouse
Learn how early Renaissance artists made panel paintings from scratch.
Remaking a fourteenth-century triptych
The Iberian Peninsula was a dynamic place in the fourteenth century, with artists from what is today France and Italy arriving in the area, as well as Catalan artists traveling elsewhere.
Ferrer Bassa and the murals of Pedralbes
The story embodied on the altarpiece offered an object lesson in the human suffering experienced by Christ.
The Medieval and Renaissance Altarpiece
Monks and nuns removed candle soot from this painting using urine and lye, but its gold background never tarnished.
The conservator’s eye: Taddeo Gaddi, Saint Julian
Some distortions are deliberate. This pulpit has its critics, but it coheres in real life—just not in photos.
Giovanni Pisano, Pisa Pulpit
Small torso? Huge shins? If you think you could paint Mary better, remember that artistic goals change over time.
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