Susan here, continuing the Yuletide celebration with a little bit of medieval holiday spirit. Some of the most beautiful, touching, whimsical and enduring holiday images are by medieval artists, and these artworks still convey the brightness, meaning, and grace of the holidays. Here are a few of my favorites – my virtual Christmas card to you. Enjoy!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a peaceful new year!
Geertgen tot Sint Jans, Nativity at Night, c. 1490, London National Gallery
Limbourg Brothers, New Year's Feast, Les Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry, 1416, Musee Conde, Chantilly, France
Snowball Fight, Venceslao Gennaio, mural, 15th c., Castello Buonconsiglio, Trento, Italy
Mummers and Dancers, English manuscript, 14th c., Bodleian Library
Angels, 14th c. manuscript, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Gerard David, Nativity, 1480s, The Metropolitan Museum, NYC
Gerard David, Nativity, detail.
What a lovely collection of images from a time when everyone knew what “Christmastide” meant! Thanks, Susan.
What a lovely collection of images from a time when everyone knew what “Christmastide” meant! Thanks, Susan.
What a lovely collection of images from a time when everyone knew what “Christmastide” meant! Thanks, Susan.
What a lovely collection of images from a time when everyone knew what “Christmastide” meant! Thanks, Susan.
What a lovely collection of images from a time when everyone knew what “Christmastide” meant! Thanks, Susan.
Absolutely beautiful – thank you for sharing these, Susan.
Absolutely beautiful – thank you for sharing these, Susan.
Absolutely beautiful – thank you for sharing these, Susan.
Absolutely beautiful – thank you for sharing these, Susan.
Absolutely beautiful – thank you for sharing these, Susan.
I just love the snowball fight.
I just love the snowball fight.
I just love the snowball fight.
I just love the snowball fight.
I just love the snowball fight.
Wonderful images!
Wonderful images!
Wonderful images!
Wonderful images!
Wonderful images!
Gorgeous, Susan — my faves are the snowball fight, and also the mummers and dancers. Many years ago, in a small village on the border of Greece and Yugoslavia, we were woken by mummers, very much like those in the picture — all men, dressed as different characters in an ancient story. I remember one in a wolf mask, another in a bear mark — and they were made of actual wolf and bear skulls that had been handed down, father to son.
Gorgeous, Susan — my faves are the snowball fight, and also the mummers and dancers. Many years ago, in a small village on the border of Greece and Yugoslavia, we were woken by mummers, very much like those in the picture — all men, dressed as different characters in an ancient story. I remember one in a wolf mask, another in a bear mark — and they were made of actual wolf and bear skulls that had been handed down, father to son.
Gorgeous, Susan — my faves are the snowball fight, and also the mummers and dancers. Many years ago, in a small village on the border of Greece and Yugoslavia, we were woken by mummers, very much like those in the picture — all men, dressed as different characters in an ancient story. I remember one in a wolf mask, another in a bear mark — and they were made of actual wolf and bear skulls that had been handed down, father to son.
Gorgeous, Susan — my faves are the snowball fight, and also the mummers and dancers. Many years ago, in a small village on the border of Greece and Yugoslavia, we were woken by mummers, very much like those in the picture — all men, dressed as different characters in an ancient story. I remember one in a wolf mask, another in a bear mark — and they were made of actual wolf and bear skulls that had been handed down, father to son.
Gorgeous, Susan — my faves are the snowball fight, and also the mummers and dancers. Many years ago, in a small village on the border of Greece and Yugoslavia, we were woken by mummers, very much like those in the picture — all men, dressed as different characters in an ancient story. I remember one in a wolf mask, another in a bear mark — and they were made of actual wolf and bear skulls that had been handed down, father to son.
Beautiful pictures, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing. (LOVE the snowball fight!)
Beautiful pictures, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing. (LOVE the snowball fight!)
Beautiful pictures, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing. (LOVE the snowball fight!)
Beautiful pictures, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing. (LOVE the snowball fight!)
Beautiful pictures, Susan! Thanks so much for sharing. (LOVE the snowball fight!)
Beautiful. The first one grabbed me the most.
Beautiful. The first one grabbed me the most.
Beautiful. The first one grabbed me the most.
Beautiful. The first one grabbed me the most.
Beautiful. The first one grabbed me the most.
Glorious art…the use of light in the top/first Nativity is amazing. Was fascinated by the cynical commentary in the background of the Christmas feast, but the glee on the faces of the snowball fighters was my favorite.
Happy New Year to all!!
Glorious art…the use of light in the top/first Nativity is amazing. Was fascinated by the cynical commentary in the background of the Christmas feast, but the glee on the faces of the snowball fighters was my favorite.
Happy New Year to all!!
Glorious art…the use of light in the top/first Nativity is amazing. Was fascinated by the cynical commentary in the background of the Christmas feast, but the glee on the faces of the snowball fighters was my favorite.
Happy New Year to all!!
Glorious art…the use of light in the top/first Nativity is amazing. Was fascinated by the cynical commentary in the background of the Christmas feast, but the glee on the faces of the snowball fighters was my favorite.
Happy New Year to all!!
Glorious art…the use of light in the top/first Nativity is amazing. Was fascinated by the cynical commentary in the background of the Christmas feast, but the glee on the faces of the snowball fighters was my favorite.
Happy New Year to all!!
What a great experience! I would love to have seen that.
What a great experience! I would love to have seen that.
What a great experience! I would love to have seen that.
What a great experience! I would love to have seen that.
What a great experience! I would love to have seen that.
I love the snowball fight! I’m saving that image.
I love the snowball fight! I’m saving that image.
I love the snowball fight! I’m saving that image.
I love the snowball fight! I’m saving that image.
I love the snowball fight! I’m saving that image.
I know it’s too late to comment, but wanted to say how much I wish I could see these images in real life. I know the photos don’t do them justice, as I’ve seen similar paintings in museums. I’ve never seen anything as fun as the snowball fight, though. In the first image, I love the Madonna’s face. Baby Jesus looks awfully cold though. I’m sure there were reasons to depict Him thus, however.
Thank you for this post.
I know it’s too late to comment, but wanted to say how much I wish I could see these images in real life. I know the photos don’t do them justice, as I’ve seen similar paintings in museums. I’ve never seen anything as fun as the snowball fight, though. In the first image, I love the Madonna’s face. Baby Jesus looks awfully cold though. I’m sure there were reasons to depict Him thus, however.
Thank you for this post.
I know it’s too late to comment, but wanted to say how much I wish I could see these images in real life. I know the photos don’t do them justice, as I’ve seen similar paintings in museums. I’ve never seen anything as fun as the snowball fight, though. In the first image, I love the Madonna’s face. Baby Jesus looks awfully cold though. I’m sure there were reasons to depict Him thus, however.
Thank you for this post.
I know it’s too late to comment, but wanted to say how much I wish I could see these images in real life. I know the photos don’t do them justice, as I’ve seen similar paintings in museums. I’ve never seen anything as fun as the snowball fight, though. In the first image, I love the Madonna’s face. Baby Jesus looks awfully cold though. I’m sure there were reasons to depict Him thus, however.
Thank you for this post.
I know it’s too late to comment, but wanted to say how much I wish I could see these images in real life. I know the photos don’t do them justice, as I’ve seen similar paintings in museums. I’ve never seen anything as fun as the snowball fight, though. In the first image, I love the Madonna’s face. Baby Jesus looks awfully cold though. I’m sure there were reasons to depict Him thus, however.
Thank you for this post.