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The Cloisters: A Basic Introduction

by
John Galligan
[[email protected]]

The Cloisters was built in the early 1930's. The museum was designed to exhibit medieval architecture and works of art that were created during the Middle Ages. Three men were responsible for this museum: George Grey Bernard, John D. Rockefeller Jr., and James Ruramor. Portions of four medieval cloisters have been integrated into the museum to create an exhibition of medieval sculpture, metalwork, tapestries, stained glass, manuscripts, and paintings. The two major periods of the Middle Ages were the Romanesque period, the year 1000 to 1150, and the Gothic period, dating 1150 to 1520.

Cloisters Guide

A Romanesque Building - The Fuentiduena Chapel

This chapel illustrates Romanesque architecture. Specifically, the Chapel is a prime example of a barrel vault ceiling that is characteristic of Romanesque architecture. The apses, sculpture and the wall paintings are all characteristic of the bold and clear Romanesque design.

The fresco that dominates the apse is of the Virgin and Child (Mary and Christ). In the fresco, Mary is the largest figure. On either side of her is one winged figure. These two winged figures represent the biblical Michael and Gabriel. These two figures are the second largest figures represented in the fresco. In the fresco, there are also three human kings. They are the smallest figures represented. The sizes of the figures correspond with a hierarchy of importance. Christ, however, does not fit into this hierarchy. Christ's importance is shown because he is the center of the fresco and he has a halo. Christ also seems to be holding a scroll and giving a blessing. The fact that Christ is the same size as the earthly kings represents his dual nature of being both human and divine.

Romanesque

Fuentiduena Chapel



A Transitional Style - The Chapter House

Chapter House The Chapter House (from Notre-Dame-De-Pontaut) was located adjacent to the cloister. The chapter house was an important daily gathering place where business and chapters of the rules was discussed. The Monastic order's and documents governing monastic religious life were also read. The chapters of the rules was discussed. The monastic religious life were also read. The chapter house was so named because the monks would sit and listen to one monk read one chapter aloud from the monastic rule book. All of the business of the monastery and group confession also took place in the chapter house.

The architecture in the chapter house is Romanesque with Gothic elements. The chapter house has thick walls and small windows which are characteristic of Romanesque architecture. However, the ceiling of the chapter house demonstrates a vaulting system that developed during the Gothic period.



A Gothic Chapel

The Gothic Chapel illustrates Gothic architecture. It contains wide lofty stained glass windows, rib-vaulting ceiling, and large, graceful interiors. Gothic churches began to be built in the late twelfth century in Western Europe.

In churches built by the aristocracy, there were often attempts to commemorate their family in tombs bearing effigies. These tombs were made into family burial chapels, churches with family associations, or placed in monasteries with which the deceased had financial influence.

Gothic Chapel


The Unicorn Tapestries

Unicorn Tap. The Unicorn Tapestry series shows the hunt of the unicorn. They were woven in Brussels about the year 1500. The series was an elaborate and expensive wedding gift to a couple with the initials A and E. They probably took over twenty years to complete.

The series depicts the hunt of the Unicorn. There have been several Christian interpretations given to the scenes in the Unicorn Tapestries. In the fourth tapestry, there is a reference to, in script, hail Queen of heaven. There is also the biblical Gabriel standing in the corner holding a horn. In the sixth tapestry, Gabriel is drinking the blood of the unicorn from its cut on the side. This is the same as the biblical Gabriel that drinks from the side of Christ. In the final tapestry, the unicorn comes back to life, as Christ did at the resurrection. The pomegranates that are dripping juice onto the unicorn's back are a symbol of fertility. The wild orchids are also a symbol of passion. In the final tapestry, the unicorn gives up its life for the benefit of A and E. This is an allusion to marriage as entrapment for the groom. The trap is not that bade, however, for the unicorn is trapped in paradise.

More Gothic and Late Medieval Art

Cloisters Links



This Page is part of the Medieval New York Web Project, a project of students in the Introduction to Medieval History courses taught by Paul Halsall in the History Department of Fordham University in 1996-1997.

© Copyright to the student creator of each page



The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of  Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University.  Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.

© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 11 March 2024 [CV]