Objects of splendor
"Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum" tells a tale of kings, bishops and wealthy patrons whose commissions fostered a cadre of supremely gifted artists and craftsmen.
Wrought in gold, silver, ivory, porcelain, bronze and wood, they created objects to serve the spiritual and the sybaritic.
The Virgin and Child by Veit Stoss.
Germany, 1500—-1505
This diminutive sculpture of the Virgin Mary was likely a devotional piece intended to be held as part of worship. The elaborate folds of her drapery —- a virtuoso performance by a maestro of the German Renaissance —- would seem to have been a bit of aesthetic distraction. It was probably as much a connouisseur's status symbol as a spiritual aid.
Stained-Glass Panel. French, ca. 1170—-1180
Stained glass is often seen at a distance, so it's a treat to see it up close. You will discover that "stained" is a misnomer. The artists joined together pieces of colored glass and painted outlines and astonishly intricate details in black.
This one tells depicts a Bible miracle, Christ feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fishes.
"Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum"
Saturday through Jan. 4. $18; $15, seniors and students with ID's; $11, children 6-17; free for members and children 5 and under. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays; until 8 p.m. Thursdays; 12-5 p.m. Sundays. High Museum of Art. 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4444. www.high.org
Reliquary Casket of St. Thomas Becket. 1180-1190, French.
Murdered by King Henry II's henchmen in Canterbury Cathedral, Archbishop Thomas Becket is one of the most famous martyrs of the Middle Ages. Pilgrims to his shrine paid their respects or prayed for help at the foot of this mini-casket, which possibly held fragments of his body or clothing, created by the enamel specialists of Limoges, France.
Codex Forster by Leonardo da Vinci. Italy, ca. 1505.
Because he was always bubbling with ideas, Leonardo kept a notebook handy to jot them down —- often in a backward writing called "mirror language." The few surviving notebooks are treasured as private glimpses of genius.
Leonardo was an engineer and inventor as well as a great artist. In this notebook, he was working out problems in hydraulics, fortifications and, believe it or not, temporary displays for parties.
Because of its fragility, the book is displayed in low light. Don't despair: Photocopies of all the pages are on the walls and a computer nearby permits virtual examination.
