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The 15th century

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

110 works · hang 431 ·

The rooms are imagined; every work on their walls is real.

Walk this roomRehang this room

First room, north wall

  1. The Annunciation, by Hans Memling, 1480–89
    The AnnunciationHans Memling, 1480–89Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The Annunciation, by Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi), ca. 1490
    The AnnunciationBotticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi), ca. 1490Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. An old man and a young woman holding an infant are seated together in the center of this almost square painting. All three people have pale, peachy skin. To our left, the man sits on a low, tan brick wall with his head bowed to look at the baby on the woman’s lap. A periwinkle-blue cloak is wrapped around the kelly-green robe that covers his shoulders, back, and legs. One hand grips a short staff planted on the ground. His receding white hair and beard are thin and scraggly with tufts sticking out over his ears. The woman sits next to and slightly in front of him, to our right, on a low rock, her body angled toward the man. A long, cobalt-blue cloak is draped around her shoulders and covers her knees over her rose-pink gown. Her honey-brown hair is parted in the middle and gathered at the back of her head. Her brown eyes look down at the infant, who is blond with brown eyes. A long white shawl is tucked into the neckline of her dress, drapes over her shoulders, and wraps under the baby as she cradles his body with one hand under his backside and the other behind his head. The baby lies on his back with his head turned toward the woman, and he points to her with one outstretched arm. The dirt ground is scattered with pebbles that make a loose ring around the trio, with moss-green growth to either side. A brown brick wall fills the upper half of the composition behind the people and extends off the top edge. A rounded arch pierces the back wall to our right of the woman. On the other side of the opening, trees with copper-brown leaves grow up along the left and the landscape beyond opens onto rocky hills with a white, square tower. In the deep distance, the silhouette of a town is painted in robin’s egg-blue against a pale peach horizon line. Thin, white clouds skim across the blue sky above.
    The Holy FamilyGiorgione, probably c. 1500Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. Virgin and Child with John the Baptist and Angels, by Pietro del Donzello, c. 1500
    Virgin and Child with John the Baptist and AngelsPietro del Donzello, c. 1500Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

First room, south wall

  1. "Zahhak is Told His Fate", Folio 29v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi, ca. 1524
    "Zahhak is Told His Fate", Folio 29v from the Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah TahmaspAbu'l Qasim Firdausi, ca. 1524Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. This painting shows a person standing, their body turned to us, with their head looking downward to the left. The person has pale skin, round, rosy cheeks, and wavy yellow hair surrounded by a golden halo with intricate patterns. They are wearing a dark robe over a dark red dress or tunic and holding a long, thin red cross in one hand, while the other hand holds a closed red book. At their feet lies a black dog-like animal with wide yellow eyes. The scene is set against a golden textured background within a gilded border.
    Saint MargaretSassetta, c. 1435Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The Nativity, by Lorenzo Monaco, ca. 1406–10
    The NativityLorenzo Monaco, ca. 1406–10Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  4. A work made of tempera on panel, transferred to canvas.
    Christ and the Woman of SamariaPerugino, 1500–05Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Second room, south wall

  1. A work made of tempera on panel, transferred to canvas.
    The Baptism of ChristPerugino, 1500–05Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Icon of the Mother of God and Infant Christ (Virgin Eleousa), by Angelos Akotantos, c. 1425–50
    Icon of the Mother of God and Infant Christ (Virgin Eleousa)Angelos Akotantos, c. 1425–50Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso), by Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia), 1435–38
    Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso)Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia), 1435–38Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  4. The Passion: The Agony in the Garden, by Martin Schongauer, c. 1480
    The Passion: The Agony in the GardenMartin Schongauer, c. 1480Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Second room, north wall

  1. Portrait of a Young Man, by Antonello da Messina (Antonello di Giovanni d'Antonio), ca. 1470
    Portrait of a Young ManAntonello da Messina (Antonello di Giovanni d'Antonio), ca. 1470Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini, by Maestro delle Storie del Pane, 1494(?)
    Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino GozzadiniMaestro delle Storie del Pane, 1494(?)Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. A work made of tempera on panel, transferred to canvas.
    Noli Me TangerePerugino, 1500–05Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  4. The Journey of the Magi, by Sassetta, ca. 1433–35
    The Journey of the MagiSassetta, ca. 1433–35Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art