Floor plan

Time and placeThe 15th century

The 15th century

Windblown bamboo, by Xia Chang, ca. 1460
A woman sits and supports a baby standing on her lap, both against a gold background in this arched, vertical painting. The woman and baby’s light skin is shaded with faint green, and they have pale pink cheeks. The woman’s body faces us. She tips her head toward the baby who stands on her knee, to our right. The woman looks at us with light brown eyes under curving brows. She has a long, straight nose, and her small pink lips are closed. Her blond hair is mostly covered by a midnight-blue robe that drapes over her shoulders, across her lap, and pools on the floor. The robe is lined with goldenrod yellow, edged with bright gold, and has gold starburst-like designs on the shoulder we can see and top of the head. The dress she wears underneath has more gold stars creating a pattern across the pearl-white fabric. A sky-blue scarf wraps over her head and loops across her shoulders. The baby holds one end of the scarf, and his other elbow rests on the woman’s shoulder. She props him up with both hands. He has a cap of blond curls and chubby cheeks with delicate features. His geranium-red garment falls over a pale blue skirt that reaches his bare feet. In the hand near the woman’s shoulder, he holds a scroll with the letters “EGO S.” The floor beneath them is mint green and has gold writing across the front, reading, “AVE.G ANN O.D M.CCCC.XIII.” The woman and baby’s disc-like gold halos blend into the gold background, which is visibly cracked in some areas. The panel comes to a pointed arch at the top.
A work made of hanging scroll; ink and color on paper.
"Dancing Dervishes", Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, by Hafiz, ca. 1480
This is a drawing of a group of medieval figures and a tree. The image depicts a dense gathering of figures, all wearing elaborate period costumes, including helmets, robes, and armor. Their expressions vary. At the top, a leafy tree dominates the background alongside swirling clouds. The foreground hints at an interaction among the individuals, possibly a scene of discourse or judgment. Several personal items and tools are on the ground. The attention to detail and the use of line to create intricate patterns and textures are notable features of this work. This is in the style of Albrecht Dürer.
A work made of tempera on panel.
The Last Communion of Saint Jerome, by Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi), early 1490s
The Triumph of Fame; (reverse) Impresa of the Medici Family and Arms of the Medici and Tornabuoni Families, by Giovanni di ser Giovanni Guidi (called Scheggia), ca. 1449

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Works made in the 15th century, anywhere in the world.

First room, north wall

  1. Windblown bamboo, by Xia Chang, ca. 1460
    Windblown bambooXia Chang, ca. 1460Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. A woman sits and supports a baby standing on her lap, both against a gold background in this arched, vertical painting. The woman and baby’s light skin is shaded with faint green, and they have pale pink cheeks. The woman’s body faces us. She tips her head toward the baby who stands on her knee, to our right. The woman looks at us with light brown eyes under curving brows. She has a long, straight nose, and her small pink lips are closed. Her blond hair is mostly covered by a midnight-blue robe that drapes over her shoulders, across her lap, and pools on the floor. The robe is lined with goldenrod yellow, edged with bright gold, and has gold starburst-like designs on the shoulder we can see and top of the head. The dress she wears underneath has more gold stars creating a pattern across the pearl-white fabric. A sky-blue scarf wraps over her head and loops across her shoulders. The baby holds one end of the scarf, and his other elbow rests on the woman’s shoulder. She props him up with both hands. He has a cap of blond curls and chubby cheeks with delicate features. His geranium-red garment falls over a pale blue skirt that reaches his bare feet. In the hand near the woman’s shoulder, he holds a scroll with the letters “EGO S.” The floor beneath them is mint green and has gold writing across the front, reading, “AVE.G ANN O.D M.CCCC.XIII.” The woman and baby’s disc-like gold halos blend into the gold background, which is visibly cracked in some areas. The panel comes to a pointed arch at the top.
    Madonna and ChildLorenzo Monaco, 1413Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. A work made of hanging scroll; ink and color on paper.
    Monju Dressed in a Robe of Braided Grass (Nawa Monju)Japanese, dated 1415Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  4. "Dancing Dervishes", Folio from a Divan of Hafiz, by Hafiz, ca. 1480
    "Dancing Dervishes", Folio from a Divan of HafizHafiz, ca. 1480Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

First room, south wall

  1. This is a drawing of a group of medieval figures and a tree. The image depicts a dense gathering of figures, all wearing elaborate period costumes, including helmets, robes, and armor. Their expressions vary. At the top, a leafy tree dominates the background alongside swirling clouds. The foreground hints at an interaction among the individuals, possibly a scene of discourse or judgment. Several personal items and tools are on the ground. The attention to detail and the use of line to create intricate patterns and textures are notable features of this work. This is in the style of Albrecht Dürer.
    The Martyrdom of Saint BarbaraLucas Cranach the ElderCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. A work made of tempera on panel.
    Saint John the Baptist Entering the WildernessGiovanni di Paolo, 1455–60Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. The Last Communion of Saint Jerome, by Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi), early 1490s
    The Last Communion of Saint JeromeBotticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi), early 1490sCourtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  4. The Triumph of Fame; (reverse) Impresa of the Medici Family and Arms of the Medici and Tornabuoni Families, by Giovanni di ser Giovanni Guidi (called Scheggia), ca. 1449
    The Triumph of Fame; (reverse) Impresa of the Medici Family and Arms of the Medici and Tornabuoni FamiliesGiovanni di ser Giovanni Guidi (called Scheggia), ca. 1449Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Second room, south wall

  1. Margaret of Austria, by Jean Hey (called Master of Moulins), ca. 1490
    Margaret of AustriaJean Hey (called Master of Moulins), ca. 1490Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The image features a celestial scene with multiple figures depicted from head to waist. Two central figures are engaged in a conversation amidst clouds. One figure appears seated, possibly on a throne, holding a book. Both figures have long hair and beards. The robes worn by the figures are detailed. Other figures surround them in a semi-circle, some wearing crowns, holding items like bowls. Heavenly hosts with wings are seen above. The background shows a detailed landscape with trees, a river, and castles nestled in hills.
    Saint John before God and the EldersAlbrecht Dürer, probably c. 1496/1498Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Virgin and Child with Angels, by Master of the Holden Tondo, early 1500s
    Virgin and Child with AngelsMaster of the Holden Tondo, early 1500sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  4. A work made of tempera on panel, transferred to canvas.
    Noli Me TangerePerugino, 1500–05Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Second room, north wall

  1. A work made of tempera on panel.
    Retable of Saints Athanasius, Blaise, and AgathaMaster of Riglos, c. 1440–c. 1445Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Bernardino of Siena, by Benvenuto di Giovanni, c. 1480/1485
    Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Bernardino of SienaBenvenuto di Giovanni, c. 1480/1485Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Third room, north wall

  1. A work made of handscroll; ink and color on paper.
    Pillars of the CountryYao Shou, Ming dynasty (1368–1644), 1494Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. The Last Supper, by Lucantonio degli Uberti, c. 1500
    The Last SupperLucantonio degli Uberti, c. 1500Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art