Medieval Period
The time in Europe from about 500 to 1500, also called the Middle Ages.
What is it?
The medieval period lasted from around 500 to 1500 AD. It started after the fall of the Roman Empire and ended with the Renaissance. During this time, most art was about religion. Artists painted scenes from the Bible in churches and on panels. They used gold backgrounds to show holiness. The painting you saw of the miracle of Saint Benedict is from this period. The gold background and religious subject are typical of medieval art.
Why it matters
Medieval art tells us what people believed and valued long ago. It also shows how artists used symbols and colors to tell stories.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more objects from the medieval period.