Order, Ornament:Med Art Lit

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Order, Ornament: Med Art & Lit M. Leigh Harrison MW 6:30-7:45 Medieval artisans and poets made their works shine with bold color, elaborate organization, and rich detail--despite the apparent chaos of their age. To explore this paradox, students will examine a range of creations taken from ruined cities and secluded monasteries, bustling universities and stately halls; and throughout, we will consider the persistent connections between visual art and poetry. As we examine some of the Middle Ages' most striking works of literature (sometimes preserved in beautiful manuscripts), questions will center on the role of order and ornament in expressing medieval worldviews. How are narratives like knots, and how are behaviors branches? What is the relationship between symmetry and goodness? What were the hidden meanings of gemstones, animals, and plants in the natural world?