8 Masterpieces of Medieval Works of Art

Have you ever heard about medieval works of art? Medieval art is popular among western art in Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. The period of the medieval art era start after the Roman Empire falls in around 300 CE. Medieval works of art lasted until the rise of the renaissance era in around 1400 that look similar to some oldest figurative art in the world.

During the medieval era, so many talented artists create their masterpieces that you can find them in the oldest museums or churches around Europe which is different from some museums and art galleries in Jakarta. If you are wondering what kind of medieval works of art and where to find them, here we have some of them on the list below. Let’s check them out!

1. Christ Pantocrator

Christ Pantocrator is one of the medieval works of art found around 500 -600 centuries which is different from prehistoric cave paintings in Indonesia. This kind of medieval art is well-known as the oldest painting of the medieval era, which represents the religious icon of Christ.

Christ Pantocrator means Christ the Savior in English. The painting represents the glory of Christ in the Byzantium era and is painted in a figurative style with a sense of realism from Christ as the main figure. You can find the authentic painting of Christ Pantocrator in Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai, Egypt, which is different from some museums in Jakarta.

2. The Maesta by Duccio di Buoninsegna

The Maesta is one of the medieval works of art painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna between 1308 – 1311. The painted was represent the Maesta which means The Virgin Mary in Majesty which is different from popular Indonesian folktales. The Maesta was painted in a figurative style with a sense of realism that contains details of volume and shape.

This kind of painting is so famous in medieval art which becomes one of the icons of the Italo-Byzantine tradition. You can find the authentic of the Maesta by Duccio di Buoninsegna in Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena, Italy.

3. Ognissanti Madonna by Giotto di Bondone

Ognissanti Madonna is one of the famous medieval works of art painted by Giotto di Bondone, the same artist that painted the famous Lamentation or The Mourning of Christ in 1306. In around 1310, Giotto painted the Ognissanti Madonna, which represents the Virgin Mary with the Christ child.

he figures were painted properly complete with some people and angels around them. Ognissanti Madonna was painted in Byzantine style art that contains the sense of figurative art. The detail of the figures was painted with a sense of realism. You can find this medieval art in Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.

4. The Annunciation and Two Saints

The Annunciation and two Saints are one of the medieval works of art painted by Simone Martini and Lippo Memmi in 1333. The painting represents the Arch angel Gabriel who brings an olive oil branch as a symbol of peace and knelt toward the Virgin Mary.

The Annunciation and Two Saints were painted with the gothic sense of Byzantine art style. The figures of the Virgin Marry and the angels were painted in detail with substantial realism. You can find the authentic painting of The Annunciation and Two Saints in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

5. The Allegory of Good and Bad Government

The Allegory of Good and Bad Government is one of the medieval works of art that was painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti between 1338 – 1339. This kind of medieval art represents a political message that happens in a country that remains corrupt.

The Allegory of Good and Bad Government was painted in a fresco style which brings the details of the figures and the building or the city around them. The detail of modern art with the moralistic message behind it. You can find the Allegory of Good and Bad Government painting in Palazzo Pubblico, Siena, Italy.

6. Crucifixion Altarpiece

Crucifixion Altarpiece is one of the medieval works of art that was painted by Melchior Broederlam, between 1394 – 1399. This kind of medieval art described the life of Christ from the Annunciation to the flight into Egypt.

Crucifixion Altarpiece was painted using a gothic style of Byzantine style, which brings the details of every color and naturalistic point. You can find the authentic painting of the Crucifixion Altarpiece in Musee des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, Dijon, France.

7. Wilton Diptych

Wilton Diptych is one of the famous medieval works of art that was painted between 1395 – 1399. The painted was remain unknown, but this masterpiece becomes one of the most iconic of aid prayer. Wilton Diptych describes King Richard II as kneeling to the Virgin Mary, which holds Christ’s child.

The king was surrounded by England’s patron, while the Virgin Marry and Christ were surrounded by angels. You can find the Wilton Diptych painting in National Gallery, London, England, as one of the proofs of medieval art that was painted in a gothic style with a sense of Byzantine art.

8. The Trinity by Andrei Rublev

The Trinity is one of the medieval works of art that was painted by Andrei Rublev, between 1411 – 1427. This kind of medieval art describes the unity of God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t paint properly, but the details of the three angels describe the unity inside that becomes the symbol of Russian Orthodox.

You can find the authentic painting of The Trinity in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia. In conclusion, some of those medieval works of art painted during the medieval era inspired many artists to create wonderful masterpieces in painting. Have you ever seen them all? Tell us which becomes the most favorite ones.