Religious Life in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
This portfolio brings together images and objects of diverse forms to explore the complexities of religious practices in medieval and early modern Europe. Religious images and their orthodoxy were questioned at different times and in different locations in this period, but remained a cornerstone of education and devotional practice for literate and illiterate groups alike. Those assembled here were for public use in churches, private use in homes, and more.
These works open up discussions on the relationship between function and aesthetics, daily life in medieval and early modern Europe, and religious and material cultures. They invite a long view of both religion and religious art, as over time they incorporate new techniques and trends. Most date to before the Reformation.
Embriachi Workshop, Venice, Italy The Mourning Virgin and holy women (fragment of a Crucifixion from a portable altarpiece) bone 4 ⅝ in x 1 9/16 in x 1 ⅛ in (11.75 cm x 3.97 cm x 2.86 cm);4 ⅝ in x 1 9/16 in x 1 ⅛ in (11.75 cm x 3.97 cm x 2.86 cm);1 1/16 in x 1 9/16 in x 1 ⅛ in (2.7 cm x 3.97 cm x 2.86 cm);3 9/16 in x 1 3/10 in x 9/16 in (9.05 cm x 3.33 cm x 1.43 cm) Presented in memory of Rosalie Eisenberg
Belgian Apostle marble with gilding 22 7/8 x 8 1/8 x 6 15/16 in. (58 x 20.5 x 17.5 cm);22 7/8 x 8 1/8 x 6 15/16 in. (58 x 20.5 x 17.5 cm);19 5/16 x 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. (49 x 14.6 x 11.4 cm);3 9/16 x 8 1/8 x 6 15/16 in. (9 x 20.5 x 17.5 cm) Museum Purchase
Jacopo del Casentino Enthroned Madonna and Child with angels and Saints Louis of Toulouse, Zenobius, John the Evangelist, and John the Baptist tempera and gold on panel 25 ½ in x 15 ¼ in x ⅞ in (64.77 cm x 38.74 cm x 2.22 cm);25 ½ in x 15 ¼ in x ⅞ in (64.77 cm x 38.74 cm x 2.22 cm) Museum Purchase
Leaf from a psalter or book of hours (Psalm 26) ink, tempera and gold on parchment 5 11/16 in x 3 13/16 in (14.4 cm x 9.7 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);5 11/16 in x 3 13/16 in (14.45 cm x 9.69 cm) Museum Purchase
English Architectural ceiling boss with two dragons, probably from the Church of St. Andrews at Cullompton wood with red polychrome 11 7/16 in. x 10 5/8 in. x 2 3/8 in. ( 29 cm x 27 cm x 6 cm ) Museum Purchase
English Architectural ceiling boss with four faces, probably from the Church of St. Andrew at Cullompton wood with polychrome 7 5/8 in. x 7 5/8 in. x 1 3/8 in. ( 19.3 cm x 19.3 cm x 3.5 cm ) Museum Purchase
English St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child alabaster with polychrome and gilding 17 3/4 in. x 8 7/8 in. x 3 1/4 in. ( 45.1 cm x 22.5 cm x 8.2 cm ) Museum Purchase
French Leaf from a Bible with Daniel in the lions' den aided by the prophet Habakuk ink, tempera and gold on parchment 7 15/16 in x 5 11/16 in (20.2 cm x 14.4 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);7 15/16 in x 5 11/16 in (20.2 cm x 14.4 cm) Anonymous Gift in memory of Mrs. John Alexander
French Leaf from a Book of Hours ink, tempera and gold on parchment 7 3/16 in. x 5 in. ( 18.2 cm x 12.7 cm ) Anonymous Gift in memory of Mrs. John Alexander
German Standing Christ wood, polychrome and gilding 18 7/16 in x 6 ¾ in x 5 ½ in (46.83 cm x 17.15 cm x 13.97 cm);18 7/16 in x 6 ¾ in x 5 ½ in (46.83 cm x 17.15 cm x 13.97 cm) Transfer from the College of Architecture and Design
Gold Scrolls Group Leaf from a book of hours with a funeral mass ink, tempera, gold, and silver alloy on parchment 7 9/16 in x 5 9/16 in (19.2 cm x 14.1 cm);19 5/16 in x 14 5/16 in (49.05 cm x 36.35 cm);7 1/2 in x 5 9/16 in (19.1 cm x 14.1 cm) Anonymous Gift in memory of Mrs. John Alexander
French Angel limestone with polychrome 20 1/4 in x 9 5/8 in x 6 1/8 in (51.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 15.5 cm);20 1/4 in x 9 5/8 in x 6 1/8 in (51.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 15.5 cm) Gift of the Friends of the University of Michigan Museum of Art for the Paul Leroy Grigaut Memorial Collection