300 – 1500 AD
Medieval Art
A thousand years of devotional art, craft, and architecture — Byzantine icons, Gothic tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, and the treasures of medieval Europe.
Explore Medieval Art from The Met — free, no account needed
Start Drifting — Medieval ArtThe Metropolitan Museum of Art's medieval collection, including the renowned Cloisters museum, spans roughly 1,200 years of art and culture — from the early Christian period of the 4th century through the late Gothic and early Renaissance of the 15th.
The collection holds exceptional examples of illuminated manuscripts on vellum, carved ivory diptychs and triptychs, Byzantine enamel and icon paintings, Romanesque sculpture, Gothic stained glass, elaborate reliquaries, and the celebrated Unicorn Tapestries at The Cloisters.
Medieval art was deeply intertwined with Christian theology and devotion, and the objects reflect the extraordinary resources devoted to sacred architecture and liturgical equipment across medieval Europe.
What You'll Discover
Illuminated Manuscripts
Exquisitely decorated Books of Hours, psalters, and gospel books — gold leaf, brilliant azurite and vermilion, and miniature narrative scenes by unknown masters.
Byzantine Art
Icon paintings, cloisonné enamel, ivory carvings, and silk textiles from the Eastern Roman Empire — a tradition of extraordinary refinement lasting a thousand years.
Tapestries
The Unicorn Tapestries — seven monumental wool and silk tapestries woven around 1500 — are among the greatest works of medieval art in existence.
Devotional Objects
Reliquaries, chalices, crosses, and altarpieces in gold, silver, enamel, and rock crystal — made for the liturgy and the veneration of saints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medieval art does the Met hold?
The Met's medieval collection includes illuminated manuscripts, Byzantine icons and enamels, the Unicorn Tapestries, carved ivories, Gothic stained glass, Romanesque sculpture, and thousands of liturgical objects — approximately 12,000 works spanning 300–1500 AD.
Can I view illuminated manuscripts from the Met online?
Yes. Museum Drift streams public domain medieval works from The Met's collection for free, including illuminated manuscripts, icons, and decorative arts.