The Art of the Middle Ages

A well-known art book author—such as “How to Read and Understand Paintings” and “Masterpieces of World Painting”—invites you to explore the Middle Ages, a significant historical period lasting about a thousand years. The term “the Middle Ages” appeared in the 15th century thanks to Italian humanists, to describe the time from the fall of the Roman Empire to their own era. Long before that, the poet Francesco Petrarch called this period the “Dark Ages.” Giorgio Vasari, the famous biographer of Renaissance masters, described it as “ugly and wild,” while Voltaire, a thinker of the Enlightenment, believed that the history of the Middle Ages deserved nothing but contempt. Today’s researchers treat this period more favorably, recognizing its contribution to European art.

The book offers an immersive journey into the captivating legacy of the Middle Ages and answers questions such as: who was depicted with a square halo; what is the secret of the Black Madonna of Montserrat; who were portrayed as Orantes; what is special about the composition “Fountain of Life”; why the Gothic cathedrals of France are dedicated to the Mother of God; and what “flamboyant Gothic” really is. It also raises the question of whether the Middle Ages deserve the reputation of the “Dark Ages.”