Why Is She So Hairy? Iconography of Mary Magdalene
Whenever I come across Gothic or early Renaissance representations of Mary Magdalene I always ask myself this question – why is she so hairy? Keep...
Magda Michalska 19 September 2023
Medieval Art
The Best of Discarding Images
During the Middle Ages, illuminated manuscripts were first used in the Roman Catholic Church for liturgical services and prayers. The popularity of...
Anna Ingram 15 September 2023
Ravenna’s Byzantine Treasures: Mosaics in San Vitale
The early medieval church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, is most famous for its spectacular mosaics. In a city full of rich, Byzantine-style...
Alexandra Kiely 21 August 2023
Top 10 Weird Christian Relics
Heads, shoulders, knees, and toes… Saintly toes? The variety of saintly relics really offers it all. I hope all of this is not too morbid for you.
Marta Wiktoria Bryll 4 August 2023
Masterpiece Story: Saint George and the Dragon
There is a skirmish between the hero and the villain. Fabrics whip about, horse hoofs trample, and a dying scream erupts as Saint George slaughters...
James W Singer 4 August 2023
All That Glitters: The Sparkling World of Medieval Mosaics
Welcome to the sparkling world of medieval mosaics! Although not as famous as illuminated manuscripts or stained glass, the mosaic was a popular art...
Alexandra Kiely 2 August 2023
Harry Potter and the Lady of the Unicorn Tapestries
The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries were made towards the end of the 15th century and are one of the most well-known sets of medieval tapestries. You...
Anna Ingram 31 July 2023
Holy Week in Art: Easter Explained in Paintings
To celebrate the Christian festival of Easter, here is the story of Holy Week and Easter explained in paintings. Palm Sunday Stained glass...
Isla Phillips-Ewen 6 April 2023
Ende: The First Documented Spanish Female Manuscript Illuminator
She is an enigma, an ancient, foggy artist from northern Spain in the Middle Ages. We learn nothing about Ende’s identity, life, or whether she...
Wen Gu 28 March 2023
Ancient Treasures from the North: Viking Art
Vikings and their culture have interested us since the days of the Viking expansion. There are numerous TV shows about them and sports teams named...
Rachel Witte 14 March 2023
Here Be Medieval Dragons
Dragons are everywhere in popular culture. People make movies about them, collect stuffed animals of them, and dress up as them for Halloween. They...
Alexandra Kiely 16 January 2023
An Illuminated Year with Limbourg Brothers
Just imagine you are an extremely rich duke living in the 15th century who likes pretty books and magnificent castles. What do you do to have them...
Magda Michalska 15 November 2022
