Hello, and welcome to my exhibit!!

With so much focus placed on the achievements of Western cultures during the medieval era, I was really curious to explore art pieces from other cultures in an attempt to figure out what we can learn through a more cross-cultural look at works from this time period. In this project, I analyze key elements of illuminations from around the world, from the comfortable familiarity of Italian culture to other, less celebrated cultures during the period such as South Asian, Jewish, and Persian cultures. Despite social difference and physical distance, the vast majority of cultures that were writing manuscripts during the middle ages were united in that they drew some form of illuminations next to their writing, for a variety of different reasons. 

However, this does not mean that each culture’s way of decorating their manuscripts was the same. By comparing these differences of each culture’s illusion formats, subjects, and styles, this project shows that art analysis can shed light on the values and beliefs each group held during this era, especially among and for the common people, who many of these decorations were aimed towards. 

Because the period of time we consider to be the “medieval era” is so broad and only takes into account the political and social events of (Christian) Europe, I will instead be focusing on slightly different time frames for each culture in order to capture an accurate representation of each one’s unique history. In addition, there are many variables affecting illumination style within a cultural group, such as the individual artist, type of manuscript, and period of time the piece was drawn. While this project does take this into account, my focus will be more on making slightly wider generalizations based on the available information. 

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Thank you for clicking on my exhibit. In my exhibit I demonstrate how Southern Italy's poverty levels have changed over the years and how they are influenced. In the items that I have chosen relate to Southern Italian poverty and how they relate to The Divine Comedy as well. My first item is Pinnochio, this is a story that relates to a poor craftsman who makes a wooden doll come alive. My second item is the Guild, the Guild were groups of merchants and craftsmen who formed a government ran by the small group. Finally, my third item "The Suicides" painting by Gustave Doré. The painting was a resombolance of the seventh circle of hell in The Divine Comedy, the punishment was to become a tree and have Harpes eat the leaves off of the trees causing great pain.

Hello! Thank you for your interest in my exhibit :)

Dante, after rising to fame in Italy and later around the world for his literary works became known as one of the most well respected writers of his time. He was also known for being very opinionated. He had a stark take on usary and banking being unfavorable acts of greed. This may have led to a number of interesting encounters with other influential figures of Italy.

In my exhibit I explore the different encounters and opinions that Dante may have taken a stance on if he had encountered the Medici family, those in the inner circle of the Church, or Emperor Frederick II. Many of these figures gained immense control of Florence, Rome, and other large city states. They may have committed sins that Dante would go on to define and interpret through his writing and The Divine Comedy.

Please click the tabs to the right to explore different topics and figures who Dante may have taken an interest in.

Cover Photo Credit: Botticelli, S. (1495). Ritratto di Dante Alighieri. painting.