![]() “Altarpieces are essentially artworks created specifically to decorate the most sacred part of a church (the altar), and act as a backdrop for the Christian ritual of the Eucharist,” explains Lane Eagles, an assistant teaching professor specializing in medieval history at the University of Washington. In addition to the exterior architecture, many churches contained ornate devotional objects, like altarpieces. Altarpieceĭuring the Middle Ages, religion and the church were at the center of most people’s lives, regardless of their social class, and the cathedrals and other places of worship of the period reflected that. “ highlights the economic contribution of the lower class, particularly women, as they played a central role in supporting their households through their craft,” he explains. ![]() According to Davis, paintings depicting scenes from the medieval period, like "The Spinner" by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, underscore the domestic nature of spinning, and its importance during the era. Spinner in the Middle Ages (Hours of the Duke of Guise), Miniature, Musee Conde in Chantilly, France.ĭuring the Middle Ages, many women in the lower classes were involved in textile production: a labor-intensive trade that required learning a set of skills, including how to use tools like spindles. “ offers a glimpse into the opulent material culture and the nobility's connection to the natural world during the medieval period,” explains Liam Davis, an art historian for Art File Magazine. The fur of these small mammals was used to make garments for the wealthiest members of medieval society, including robes for royalty. Leonardo da Vinci captured this particular status symbol in his painting "Lady with an Ermine," which dates to around 1489, and depicts a young noblewoman holding a small weasel called an ermine. Along with imported material goods like spices and brightly colored silk, this also included exotic animals, like monkeys, tigers, and tropical birds. In addition to their monetary value, these possessions were especially prized if they were rare, and had to be sourced and transported to them from faraway lands. Like the privileged classes of other periods, those living in the Middle Ages wasted no opportunity to flaunt their societal status, power, and prestige through their belongings. (Photo by Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images) 'Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, Lady with an Ermine', circa 1490.
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