Pen and Parchment

by Melanie Holcomb

Published 1 July 2009
In the Middle Ages, artists explored and tested the medium of drawing, producing whimsical sketches, illustrated treatises, and finished drawings of extraordinary refinement. This fascinating volume is the first to examine and celebrate the achievements of medieval draftsmen in depth. It reproduces rarely seen leaves from more than fifty manuscripts dating from the 9th to the early 14th century. In the accompanying texts, Melanie Holcomb and other experts in the field consider the techniques, uses, and aesthetics of medieval drawings, casting light on their critical role in the intellectual life of the Middle Ages.

A comprehensive and timely exploration of the key role Jerusalem played in shaping the art and culture of the Middle Ages

Medieval Jerusalem was a vibrant international center and home to multiple cultures, faiths, and languages.  Harmonious and dissonant influences from Persian, Turkish, Greek, Syrian, Armenian, Georgian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Indian, and European traditions invested Jerusalem with a key role in shaping the art of the Middle Ages.  Through compelling essays by international and interdisciplinary experts and detailed discussions of more than 200 works of art, this beautiful, authoritative volume breaks new ground in exploring the relationship between the historical and the archetypal city of Jerusalem, uncovering the ways in which the aesthetic achievements it inspired enhanced and enlivened the medieval world.
 
Patrons and artists from Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions alike focused their attention on the Holy City, endowing and enriching its sacred buildings and creating luxury goods for its residents.  This artistic fertility was particularly in evidence between the 11th and the 14th centuries, notwithstanding often devastating circumstances—from the earthquake of 1033 to the fierce battles of the Crusades.  Dazzling illustrations featuring new photography complement this unprecedented, panoptic story of Jerusalem in the Middle Ages.  

Published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art / Distributed by Yale University Press


Exhibition Schedule:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
(09/26/16–01/08/17)