![]() The tusk grows in place of a tooth and during Medieval times it was thought to have healing powers. Sometimes things out of the real world found a use as a tool for this type of inspiration.Ī narwhal tusk or horn from the Baltic Regions is on display because it was associated with the legend of the unicorns. “Wonders,” the third section of this exhibition, is organized to show how depictions of monsters were used to inspire awe or wonder in their viewers. You can almost here shouts of “ahhh” or “eeek” as you look around the surface of this piece. The men in the water who are supposed to have expressions of illness or impending death have something more akin to “over acting” a death scene painted on their face. Upon close examination, this is a hilarious painting. Judging by the men's clothing, they were clearly thought to be important people who were somehow taken in or tricked by this monster. The men are shown in various stages of distress in the water below the Siren. She is holding a harp to help attract men with her song. Siren, depicts a double-winged female monster with half a fish body and bird legs. Men were most often shown as victims of the feminine, not the other way around. Female biology, throughout the Medieval period, was seen as shameful or even abnormal. It is a strong example from this section of the exhibition. Siren, from Les Abus du Monde, is an ink, tempera, and gold on vellum, c. If you were different from what was considered normal, monsters were part of the type of imagery that would have been used to reinforce or call attention to your “differentness.” The “Aliens” section has been curated to show how monsters were used to further alienate marginalized people from different religious backgrounds or races or even because they were somehow disabled. Colors like red and gold are used to highlight the importance of the people in this legend as red was often used to highlight people of authority during the Medieval period. ![]() The style of the painting is detailed and expressive. The soldier being eaten, the soldiers fighting and Martha subduing the dragon could not possibly have happened all at the same time. It takes a moment to realize that this image depicts multiple parts of the story, all at once, so the timeline for events is not linear. Armed soldiers are shown fighting the dragon with crossbows and pikes and one unfortunate soldier is in the process of being eaten by the dragon. In the work, Martha is shown with a leash in one hand that is tied around the dragon's neck and what appears to be a golden bucket of holy water in her other hand. The imagery is supposed to reinforce the power of the legend around Martha. This image portrays one of the miracles done by Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary Magdalene, in which she subdues a dragon using holy water that was terrorizing the community around Tarascon in Provence. A strong example from this part of the show is, Taming the Tarasque, from Hours of Henry VIII, it is an ink, tempera, and gold on vellum by Jean Poyer (France, active 1483–1503). “Terrors” is curated to demonstrate how monsters enhanced the power of the rulers and elites in Medieval society. The exhibition is broken into three parts: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders. Wall colors and cases as well as textual “call outs” on the walls and well-designed, large informative labels help to tell a story that makes venturing into this exhibit interesting and fun. ![]() The exhibition is displayed in several galleries and the display is executed in a way that helps create a transportive experience. The exhibition includes devotional, liturgical and secular works spanning from the 800s to 1500s.Ī selection of sculpture, prints and illuminated manuscripts from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection of antiquities and medieval art is also included in the show. 6, the exhibit was organized by The Morgan Library & Museum in New York and features about 60 illuminated manuscripts from the Morgan’s collection. Medieval Monsters: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders “explores the complex social roles of monsters in the Middle Ages.” They do this through using things like imagery and colors to help portray messages that are included in the structures they help build or commissions they are asked to do.Ī unique and dynamic exhibition is currently on view at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Through music, dance, poetry, architecture, graphic arts, painting and sculpture, artists and artisans have been engaged in challenging and portraying the times or communities in which they live. ![]() ![]() The arts have been used throughout history to communicate ideas about religion, politics, every day life and even the unknown. ![]()
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