Medieval Color, Pattern and Motif inspiration.
The Middle ages, from about the 5th century until the late 15th c, begins with the fall of Rome and ends where the Renaissance begins. There are three divisions to this particular era - Early Middle Ages (500-1000CE), High Middle Ages (1000-1300CE) and Late Middle Ages (1300-1500CE).
Dates are not exact as all countries did not experience the same growth at the same time in the same way.
Detail Chapter House of Notre Dame de Pontaut, originally in France, now part of the Met Cloisters Museum. Limestone, 12th c.
Detail from King Arhtur, The Heroes Tapestry, Met Museum, early 15th c. South Netherlandish.
Stone Chimera decorating a cloister capital at the Cluny Museum, France. Limestone, 12thc CE.
Medieval astrology, Knight shown representing the Planet Mars, Getty Museum. 14th c.
Part of the the Chapel of L'Hôtel de Cluny with flamboyant architectural elements and pattern. Built in the late 15th c. France.
From a medieval astrology book representing Cancer. Getty Museum. 15th c.
This image included to feature a lovely Medieval style font. The Clos des Mouches was once a place of beekeeping for honey and wax in the middle ages. It is now a Premier Cru vineyard in France and owned by Jospeh Drouhin wines.
From an illustrated medieval herbal, 13th c, Salerno. Now at the British Library.
A small detail from the Ayala alterpiece in the Art Insitute of Chicago's medieval galleries. Note the stylized sheep (so cute:) Spanish, 14th c.
A detail from a Persian 4-tile figural scene. At the Art Institute of Chicago's Islamic galleries. These are actually 17th c, during the time of the Safavid Dynasty. Some consider this time a bridge between the end of the medeival era and the beginning of the modern era in the Iranian empire.
This is a selection of mostly medieval wax seal impressions that have browned over the years. Many of the seals depicted symbols and motifs related to their owner's profession, for example the scissors.
Part of a beautiful statue in the Palais de Papes, Avignon, France.