Medieval European Art & History Photos

After the fall of Rome (late 4th C CE) and the resulting Dark Ages, western Europe began (c6th-8th C) to redevelop itself under the domination of Christianity and Feudal rule. The inventions of the Renaissance (c1500 CE) eventually ended the Medieval era.

Click subject to see all photos in category. F11 to view website full screen.
Clovis I (c481-511)
& Clotilde		 Tomb of Clovis I, first King of Franks, at St-Denis Basilica. St Denis, France Clotilde proposed to by Clovis is brought by Aurélien, ambassador of the Prince painting by Henri de L'Étang at Angers Fine Arts Museum. Angers, France Baptism of Clovis at Reims on Dec. 25, 498 mural by Joseph Blanc at Pantheon. Paris, France
Charlemagne, Holy Roman Emperor (800 CE) Silver-gilt bust of Charlemagne , with precious stones & containing Charlemagne relic at Aachen Cathedral Treasury. Aachen, Germany Shrine of Charlemagne aka Karlsschrein where Charlemagne's remains were interred at Aachen Cathedral. Aachen, Germany Bejeweled talisman worn by Charlemagne in his coffin & later by Empress Josephine now in Tau Palace. Reims, France
Bayeux Tapestry (late 11th C) shows conquest of England (1066) by William the Conqueror Facsimile of back side of Bayeux Tapestry at its Museum. Bayeaux, France Examples of colors used for Bayeux Tapestry at its Museum. Bayeaux, France Video images of Bayeux Tapestry scenes at its Museum. Bayeaux, France
1130-mid 1500s: Gothic Churches and Structures St-Denis Basilica , first major structure built mostly in Gothic style, heralding transition from Romanesque to Gothic style in later cathedrals. St Denis, France Notre Dame Cathedral with some re-building & additions in subsequent centuries. Senlis, France Facade of Chartres Cathedral. Chartres, France
St. Louis IX (1234-1270) St. Louis, King of France with a Page painting by El Greco at Louvre Museum. Paris, France Stained glass window with detail of life of St. Louis in Notre Dame Cathedral. Senlis, France King Louis IX of France statue details at Saint Louis Art Museum. St. Louis, MO
Apocalypse Tapestry, Angers (1370s) Visitors studying Apocalypse Tapestry at Angers Chateau. Angers, France Beast of the sea from Apocalypse Tapestry at Angers Chateau. Angers, France Burning in hell detail of Fourth seal: pale horse & death from Apocalypse Tapestry at Angers Chateau. Angers, France
Joan of Arc under Charles VII (1422-1461) Joan of Arc listening to her voices painting by Léon François Bénouville at Rouen Museum of Fine Arts. Rouen, France Joan of Arc rallying French troops at Orleans mural at Pantheon. Paris, France Joan of Arc at the stake painting by Alexandre-Evariste Fragonard at Rouen Museum of Fine Arts. Rouen, France
Louis XII (1498-1515)
& Anne of Brittany		 Equestrian statue of king Louis XII over portal to Blois Chateau. Blois, France Louis XII bust at Blois Chateau. Blois, France Stained glass panels with porcupine emblem of Louis XII in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France
Aquamanile bronze hand-washing pitchers (introduced after Crusades c1200) Bronze aquamanile in shape of lion with dog handle from northern Germany at Germanisches Nationalmuseum. Nuremberg, Germany Dragon-shaped copper aquamanile from Northern Germany at The Cloisters. New York, NY Bronze aquamanile based upon fantastic bird from Meuse Valley at Museum of Decorative Arts. Paris, France
Ivory Carvings Ivory diptych panel with a triumphant emperor at Louvre Museum. Paris, France Italian ivory plaque of Journey to Bethlehem from Amalfi at Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland, OH Ivory carved triptych of Childhood & Passion of Christ from Tarn, France at Cluny Museum. Paris, France
Enamels Enameled bookbinding plaque with Christ & Evangelist symbols from Spain or Limoges at Cluny Museum. Paris, France Enameled cross from Limoges at Cluny Museum. Paris, France Enameled copper medallion of falconer on horseback from Limoges at Cluny Museum. Paris, France
Reliquaries

To hold relics of Saints		 Silver-gilt bust of Charlemagne , with precious stones & containing Charlemagne relic at Aachen Cathedral Treasury. Aachen, Germany Arm Reliquary for St. Luke from Naples at Louvre Museum. Paris, France Enameled copper reliquary with scenes of Adoration of Magi from Limoges at Cluny Museum. Paris, France
Last Judgment Carvings Last Judgment carving on West high cross at Monasterboice. Ireland Last Judgment carving over center portal of Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris, France Bishops, rich & kings being thrown into burning vats of hell in Last Judgment scene on Reims Cathedral. Reims, France
Jesse Tree Art

Family Tree of Jesus		 Jesse tree stained glass window in Köln Cathedral. Köln, Germany Flemish altar-front with Jesse Tree in chapel at Abbotsford House. Melrose, Scotland Jesse Tree painting giving family tree including Salomon, David & Jesus by Geertgen tot Sint-Jans at Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam, NL
Pilgrimage Medals, Water Flasks & Objects Pilgrim's badge with Sts. Peter & Paul signifying that owner had visited their tombs in Rome at Hamburg History Museum. Hamburg, Germany Pilgrim's garb of Stephan Praun III prob. Spanish at Germanisches Nationalmuseum. Nuremberg, Germany Venetian pilgrim flask with coat of arms of a Bishop in della Rovere family at Corning Museum of Glass. Corning, NY
Medieval Armor Collection of Medieval armor & weapons at German Historical Museum. Berlin, Germany European arms & armor at Albuquerque Museum. Albuquerque, NM Portrait of Man in Armor Decorated in Gold painting by Jacopo Tintoretto at Kunsthistorisches Museum. Vienna, Austria
Tapestries of Low Countries (15th-16th C) Unicorn in Captivity from the Unicorn Tapestry series made in The Lowlands at The Cloisters. New York, NY Deliverance of St. Peter tapestry from Tournai? at Cluny Museum. Paris, France Tapestries & choir stalls in abbey chapel at Cluny Museum. Paris, France
Tapestries of France (15th-16th C)
Byzantine Art
See Also:
All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

CMP