Glories of Medieval Art: The Cloisters

Philippe de Montebello, former Director of The Met, guides viewers through The Cloisters, pointing out Romanesque and Gothic architecture and artwork, beautiful tapestries, and the diverse species in the gardens. He outlines the history of the building and its many influences and highlights significant works of art in the collection.

April 18, 2013

27 min. watch

Philippe de Montebello, Director of The Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1977 to 2008, guides viewers through The Cloisters, pointing out Romanesque and Gothic architecture and artwork, beautiful tapestries, and the diverse species in the gardens. He outlines the history of the building and it's many influences and highlights significant works of art in the collection. It was produced in 1989 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Office of Film and Television.

May 2013 through May 2014 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of The Cloisters.

Art Mentioned

The Hunters Enter the Woods (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp, wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Hunters Enter the Woods (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Unicorn Purifies Water (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Unicorn Purifies Water (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Unicorn Crosses a Stream (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Unicorn Crosses a Stream (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Unicorn Defends Himself (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Unicorn Defends Himself (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Hunters Return to the Castle (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Hunters Return to the Castle (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Unicorn Rests in a Garden (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Unicorn Rests in a Garden (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Unicorn Surrenders to a Maiden (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) — The Unicorn Surrenders to a Maiden (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven)
1495–1505

The Unicorn Surrenders to a Maiden (from the Unicorn Tapestries), Wool warp with wool, silk, silver, and gilt wefts, South Netherlandish — The Unicorn Surrenders to a Maiden (from the Unicorn Tapestries)
South Netherlandish
1495–1505

Annunciation Triptych (Merode Altarpiece), Robert Campin Netherlandish, Oil on oak, Netherlandish — Annunciation Triptych (Merode Altarpiece)
Workshop of Robert Campin
ca. 1427–32

The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux, Queen of France, Jean Pucelle French, Grisaille, tempera, and ink on vellum, French — The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux, Queen of France
Jean Pucelle
ca. 1324–28

Cuxa Cloister, Marble, Catalan — Cuxa Cloister
Catalan
ca. 1130–40

A Knight of the d'Aluye Family, Limestone, French — A Knight of the d'Aluye Family
French
after 1248–by 1267

Chapter House from Notre-Dame-de-Pontaut, Limestone, French — Chapter House from Notre-Dame-de-Pontaut
French
12th century

Scenes from the Life of Saint Augustine of Hippo, Master of Saint Augustine Netherlandish, Oil, gold, and silver on wood, Netherlandish — Scenes from the Life of Saint Augustine of Hippo
Master of Saint Augustine
ca. 1490

Stained Glass Panel with Queen Kunigunde, Pot-metal glass, colorless glass, and vitreous paint, Austrian — Stained Glass Panel with Queen Kunigunde
Austrian
1340–50

Virgin and Child, Limestone with original paint, gilding, and glass, French — Virgin and Child
French
ca. 1340–50

Apse from San Martín at Fuentidueña, Limestone, Spanish — Apse from San Martín at Fuentidueña
Spanish
ca. 1175–1200

The Cloisters Playing Cards, Paper (four layers of pasteboard) with pen and ink, opaque paint, glazes, and applied silver and gold, South Netherlandish — The Cloisters Playing Cards
South Netherlandish
ca. 1475–80

Book of Hours, Simon Bening Netherlandish, Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment; modern red leather binding, Netherlandish — Book of Hours
Simon Bening
ca. 1530–35

More from The Met

The Winged Lion of Saint Mark

This small plaque of Mark the Evangelist, represented by a lion holding a book between its wings, stands for many stories that illustrate facets of medieval Christian faith.

Guadalupe Nettel

October 8

On the Acheulean Bifaces

A close look at these ancient bifaces reveals a profound story about the early human relationship with the environment.

Andrea Myers Achi

October 6

Video

Installing Jackson Pollock’s Autumn Rhythm: Number 30, 1950

Take a look behind the scenes as Met handlers install Jackson Pollock’s 17-foot Autumn Rhythm: Number 30, 1950.

October 2

More in:NatureArchivesOn ViewInspiration