ENGL 203: Medieval Literature
Dr. Debora B. Schwartz
English Department, California Polytechnic State UniversityGetty Museum Website Exercise:
Searching the CollectionsExplore online the medieval collections of the Getty Museum. Note that you can access images from the collections sorted by artist (not very useful for medieval works, where the artists are rarely known); by collection type (see manuscripts, painting and sculpture for medieval artwork); or by subject. This assignment will be completed using the subject "Religion," and looking through the images found under the headings "Christ" and "Mary." Within these headings, artwork is arranged chronologically. Note that you are not expected to look through ALL 443 images of Christ and/or 259 images of Mary on the website; you are responsible for finding and noting only the examples of your group's assigned topic which date from the medieval era (between ca. 450 and 1500). Nonetheless, your search MAY TAKE SEVERAL HOURS TO DO -- allow yourself adequate time to get through the images on the site! Because the Christine de Pizan readings are relatively short (and the medieval lyrics assigned for the day this REPORT IS DUE are VERY short), your preparation time this week and over the week-end will be spent primarily looking through the images on the Getty website and writing up your report WHICH MUST BE SUBMITTED, IN HARD COPY, AT OUR FIRST CLASS MEETING OF WEEK 8 (as well as posted in a report in your Research Archive in Blackboard).
As you explore the Getty site, you will find many examples of medieval artwork depicting Christ and Mary. Each research group will be assigned ONE of the topics/scenes listed below as the topic for your report. You and your research group will keep a running count of how many medieval depictions you find (i.e. works dating from the 5th through the 15th centuries) of YOUR ASSIGNED TOPIC. For each specific work, note the title (unless the title is identical to your assigned topic); as well as the medium (painting, manuscript illumination, sculpted wood, ivory, etc.); provenance (where was the image made?); approximate date; and name of artist or workshop if known. This information may most easily be presented in table form.
As you peruse the images, also note whether any of the scenes include the depiction of a patron or patroness -- ordinary people from the time the artwork was created (not part of the Biblical scenes depicted) who are shown praying or otherwise asking for intercession. If there are any such depictions, note to whom they are praying (to Mary, alone? to Mary and Christ together? directly to Christ, with Mary not depicted? to another saint or saints?)
Finally, your group should pick ONE medieval image of YOUR ASSIGNED TOPIC that you particularly like. Print out a copy of that image and note its URL (web "address") so you can share it with the class; in your report to the Research Archive, put that URL in <triangular brackets> so that we can link directly from your report to the image on the Getty website. Write up a paragraph where you point out details that you find interesting or which you particularly liked.
This research report should be turned in to me in hard copy next week AND posted to your Blackboard research archive.
Each Research Group will be responsible for the topic with the same number as the Blackboard Forum to which you submit your research reports (check your archive; I have added numbering!) The corresponding topics follow:
1) CHRIST on the Cross. Note whether he is ALONE (without Mary) or whether MARY is shown in the image mourning him. Keep careful notes that distinguish between these specific types of Crucifixion scenes.Write up a report of the images which you found of YOUR ASSIGNED TOPIC (not all topics listed above!). In addition to the details you have been asked to record (much of which can be recorded in table form), include several paragraphs interpreting what you found. What did you notice about the relative distribution of scenes involving Mary and Christ in the medieval collections? Are there changes over time? What aspects of medieval piety or of the Divine (love, grace, punishment, suffering, etc.) does YOUR ASSIGNED TOPIC represent? How central is Mary to medieval notions of Christianity? What did you particularly like about the image you selected to print out? What made it stand out from the others? This report needs to be turned in to me IN HARD COPY at our first class meeting of week 8, as well as posted in your Research Archive.2) MARY mourning her Son (e.g. at the foot of the Cross; as a "Pietà," holding his dead body in her arms; etc.) Keep careful notes that distinguish between these specific types of mourning scenes. You will need to examine any scene entitled "Crucifixion" within the Mary menu.
3) CHRIST portrayed as a Judge (at the Last Judgment, or in a scene where he is shown in heaven, isolated from humanity by a mandorla -- be sure to note which, as well as whether or not Mary is present).
4) MARY at the Annunciation (with an Angel)
5) MARY as Mom 1: Nativity scenes (manger scenes following the birth of Christ, including e.g. adoration of the Magis or of the Shepherds). Keep careful notes that distinguish between these specific types of mother/child scenes; note whether scene is depicted "realistically" (in a barn-like setting) or in a stylized bedroom or if it has Mary on a throne. Also, be sure to note the presence of Shepherds or of the three Kings (in scenes entitled "Adoration of the Magi" or "Adoration of the Shepherds")
6) MARY as Mom 2: non-Nativity scenes showing Mary with Christ as a CHILD ( i.e., not scenes where she is mourning her adult son). Keep careful notes that distinguish between these specific types of mother/child scenes:
6a) Mary breastfeeding ("Virgin of Humility" -- often seated on ground)7) MARY as Queen of Heaven (scenes of the Coronation of the Virgin, or ANY scene where Mary is shown wearing a crown or on a throne). Keep careful notes that distinguish between these specific types of Mary-as-Queen-of-Heaven scenes; note whether or not Christ is present and in what form (baby, crowned grown-up king, etc.)6b) Formal portraits of Mother and Child that are not part of a nativity scene (are they on a throne? seated on the ground?)
6c) Other scenes from Christ's childhood (note what specific scenes are depicted)
8*) OTHER images of Christ and/or Mary, especially the Assumption of MARY (where she is borne to heaven by angels) and/or the Ascension of CHRIST (where he is borne to heaven by angels). Keep notes on any other images of MARY and/or CHRIST that you come across than those which are specifically listed above (there are not many). For these few images, make a note of the specific scene(s) in which Christ and/or Mary appear(s); keep tabs on how many of these images depict only Mary (without Christ), only Christ (without Mary), or Mary and Christ together. (*If there are nine research groups, this topic will be split; group 8 will do "Other Images of Christ" and group 9 will do "Other images of Mary").
As part of the hard copy you turn in in class, con't forget to print out a copy of at least ONE image of YOUR ASSIGNED TOPIC, taking care to note its URL, so that you can share it with the class. If you visit the Getty, look for a postcard depicting your assigned scene in the museum shop. In your report to the research archive, include the URL of this image so that readers can link to it directly from your archive.
Contents of this and linked pages Copyright Debora B. Schwartz, 1999-2008
Click here for Medieval Lyrics and St. Bernard's Sermons on the Song of Songs Study Questions
Click here for The Second Shepherds' Play Study Questions
Return to ENGL 203 homepageReturn to Dr. Schwartz's Teaching PageReturn to Dr. Schwartz's homepageSend me mail!