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Animals, both real and fantastic, occupied an important place in medieval art and thought. Artists readily employed animal motifs, along with foliate designs, as part of their decorative vocabulary. Early medieval jewelry, for instance, abounds with animal forms elongated and twisted into intricate patterns (1992.59.1).
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Medieval bestiaries contained anywhere from a few dozen to more than a hundred descriptions of animals, each accompanied by an iconic image. Some descriptions explained a creature’s Christian significance, such as the unicorn as a symbol for Christ, while others focused on physical characteristics.
recognize and interpret the use of animals as symbols in medieval art; synthesize the features of several animals into a composite creature with special powers drawn from its attributes; and communicate the special qualities of their figure through writing.
30 mar 2023 · Based on the wealth of the MEV’s collections, this exhibition illustrates different aspects, modalities and intentions of the abundant presence of animals in medieval art, bringing us closer to the way of thinking and living of men and women of the Middle Ages.
The bestiary was one of the most popular sources of information on animals in the Middle Ages. It presented real and legendary creatures as living allegories, with their physical and behavioral characteristics symbolizing central aspects of the Christian faith.
Animal symbolism is frequently seen in medieval art, where creatures like lions symbolize courage and strength, while doves represent peace and the Holy Spirit. Different religious traditions may interpret the same animal symbol differently, highlighting the shared yet unique meanings assigned by various cultures.
Along with creatures medieval Europeans were familiar with—horses, dogs, foxes, and cows—the bestiary also described animals from faraway lands such as elephants, tigers, and as seen in this...
