Middle Ages in ARt and Literature

The medieval period stretching from the Dark Ages through the High

Middle Ages is both familiar and alien to the modern American. Examination of

the art and literature of the period can help the modern student to gain a fuller

appreciation of the life and people of those times. Such examination reveals that

there are both similarities among and differences between modern times and

In this paper, I discuss medieval art works found at the Metropolitan

Museum of Art and the Cloisters with descriptions of medieval life provided by

Chaucer in his Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. Many of the images found in

Chaucer’s text are also found in the art works of the time. In addition, both the art

works and the literature illustrate certain elements of medieval life, such as the

important role of religion in both public and private life. This is one way that

medieval times are not very different than modern times.

The art works discussed in detail in this essay are: Tapestry with the

Annunciation, Aquamanile in the Form of a Mounted Knight, and Figures in a

Rose Garden found at the Metropolitan Museum and Five Worthies and

Attendant Figures and The Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux fo

. . .
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Approximate Word count = 1073
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)