Astrological Art of the Middle Ages: Illuminated Manuscripts, Cathedral Sculptures, and Tapestries

Introduction

The Middle Ages, spanning roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century, was a period where art and the spiritual were deeply intertwined.

Art served as a medium to convey theological truths, moral lessons, and cosmic mysteries. Among these vast tapestries of imagery and symbolism, astrology found its place, leaving an indelible mark on medieval art.

Through illuminated manuscripts, grandiose cathedral sculptures, and intricately woven tapestries, the celestial was brought down to earth, encapsulated in forms that continue to enchant and educate.

Illuminated Manuscripts: The Celestial in Ink and Gold

The Nature of Illumination

An illuminated manuscript is a handwritten book where the text is complemented by the addition of decoration or illustration, often using gold and silver. These manuscripts were often religious texts, though not exclusively, and the art within them was not just decorative but symbolic and instructive.

Astrological Symbolism

Many illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages bore astrological illustrations. Zodiac signs adorned calendar pages, depicting the passage of time and the influence of the stars on earthly events. Labors of the months, frequently seen in medieval art, would often be paired with their corresponding zodiac sign, hinting at the connection between human endeavors and the cosmos.

Notable Examples

The Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry

Description: Perhaps the most famous illuminated manuscript of the Late Middle Ages, it includes a calendar with illustrations of the labor of the months and signs of the zodiac.

Public Viewing: The manuscript is held in the collection of the Musée Condé, Chantilly, France, and can be viewed by the public there.

The Aberdeen Bestiary

Description: An illuminated manuscript from the 12th century, known for its rich illustrations of animals. Each animal is accompanied by a moral or religious interpretation, with some astrological references.

Public Viewing: Digitized and available for public viewing online through the University of Aberdeen’s website.

The Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves

Description: A richly illustrated Book of Hours from the 15th century, it includes depictions of the zodiac signs and is known for its highly detailed and symbolic miniatures.

Public Viewing: Parts of it are held at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York and can be viewed by the public there.

The Luttrell Psalter

Description: An early 14th-century English illuminated psalter, known for its vivid and somewhat whimsical illustrations of everyday life in the medieval period, including some astrological images.

Public Viewing: Housed in the British Library, selected pages are often on display and it is also available to view online via the British Library’s Digitised Manuscripts portal.

The Limbourg Brothers’ Belles Heures du Duc de Berry

Description: Another magnificent Book of Hours that was illuminated by the Limbourg brothers for the Duke of Berry, featuring a calendar with medallions of the zodiac signs.

Public Viewing: Part of the collection at The Cloisters museum in New York, under the care of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Talbot Hours

Description: An early 15th-century Book of Hours, it contains a full-page miniature for each month, showing the labors of the month and the associated zodiac sign.

Public Viewing: Occasionally on display at the British Library.

The Visconti-Sforza Tarot Cards

Description: While not a book, this collection of illuminated tarot cards from the 15th century includes astrological images and was likely used for divinatory purposes.

Public Viewing: Scattered across various collections, including the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York and the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, Italy.

The Hours of Jeanne d’Evreux

Description: A 14th-century Book of Hours that belonged to Jeanne d’Evreux, Queen of France, containing small but exquisite illustrations, with some astrological references.

Public Viewing: Held at The Cloisters museum in New York and available for public viewing.

The Sforza Hours

Description: A late 15th-century Book of Hours, originally made for Bona Sforza, Duchess of Milan, it features lavish borders decorated with flowers, jewels, and astrological signs.

Public Viewing: Kept at the British Library and is sometimes displayed in exhibitions.

Cathedral Sculptures: Carved Constellations

A Celestial Sanctuary

Medieval cathedrals were not just places of worship but repositories of art and knowledge. The towering structures, with their soaring arches and intricate carvings, often carried astrological motifs, echoing the belief in the intricate dance between heaven and earth.

Symbolism in Stone

Many cathedrals feature zodiac motifs, usually incorporated into the decorative scheme of the building. These can be found on floor tiles, carved into choir stalls, or most prominently, on the facades and portals of the cathedrals themselves. The signs of the zodiac, often accompanied by their ruling planets, would be intricately carved, symbolizing the cosmic order and the divine plan.

Iconic Examples

Chartres Cathedral

Location: Chartres, France

Description: The Royal Portal of Chartres Cathedral is adorned with intricate carvings of zodiac signs and the labors of the months, blending the celestial with the rhythm of medieval life.

Visitor Information: The cathedral is open to visitors, and guided tours are often available to explain the rich iconography.

Amiens Cathedral

Location: Amiens, France

Description: The façade features detailed sculptures of zodiac symbols and the labors associated with each sign, a common theme in Gothic cathedrals emphasizing the link between the cosmos and human activity.

Visitor Information: Amiens Cathedral welcomes tourists and provides access to view its zodiac representations.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Location: Paris, France

Description: Prior to the tragic fire, Notre-Dame displayed zodiac signs on its astronomical clock and possibly in other less known elements, reflecting the medieval fascination with astrology.

Visitor Information: Currently under restoration, the cathedral’s reopening schedule can be checked for future visit planning.

Salisbury Cathedral

Location: Salisbury, England

Description: This cathedral houses an ancient clock that uses a zodiac dial for months, integrating timekeeping with the astrological calendar.

Visitor Information: The cathedral is open for tours, which often include a visit to the medieval clock.

Wells Cathedral

Location: Wells, England

Description: The chapter house of Wells Cathedral is noted for its ceiling, decorated with carvings of the sun and moon, evoking celestial themes.

Visitor Information: The cathedral and chapter house are accessible to visitors, with guided tours available.

Modena Cathedral

Location: Modena, Italy

Description: Its façade includes a series of bas-reliefs that depict the labors of the months and signs of the zodiac, a testament to the medieval mindset that saw the divine in the patterns of the stars.

Visitor Information: Modena Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is open to the public.

St. Mark’s Basilica

Location: Venice, Italy

Description: This basilica features a zodiac floor mosaic and the famous clock tower with signs of the zodiac, combining religious art with celestial symbolism.

Visitor Information: St. Mark’s Basilica is one of Venice’s most visited sites, with the zodiac mosaics being a highlight for many.

Toledo Cathedral

Location: Toledo, Spain

Description: Toledo Cathedral’s exquisite 15th-century altarpiece, the Astrolabe, depicts astrological imagery, reflecting the period’s blend of sacred art and science.

Visitor Information: The cathedral is a major tourist attraction, and visitors can view the Astrolabe as part of the tour.

Freiburg Minster

Location: Freiburg, Germany

Description: This cathedral is known for its astronomical clock, which is adorned with zodiac symbols, emphasizing the importance of celestial cycles in the medieval worldview.

Visitor Information: Freiburg Minster is open to the public, and the astronomical clock is a key feature of interest.

St. Mary’s Church

Location: Lübeck, Germany

Description: While not a cathedral, St. Mary’s Church in Lübeck contains a famous astronomical clock with zodiac signs, a marvel of medieval technology and art.

Visitor Information: The church welcomes visitors, and the astronomical clock is a must-see.

Tapestries: Weaving the Heavens

Threads of Fate

Tapestries, large textile artworks displayed on walls, were a prominent art form in the Middle Ages. Apart from showcasing scenes from history, mythology, or religion, many tapestries incorporated astrological themes. These woven wonders intricately melded together threads of fate, celestial cycles, and earthly tales.

Astrological Narratives

Many medieval tapestries depicted the zodiac signs, often accompanied by the sun, moon, and notable constellations. The artistry did not stop at mere depiction; narratives would unfold showcasing the influence of these celestial bodies on human affairs, from love to war to harvests.

Exemplary Tapestries

The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries

Location: Musée de Cluny, Paris, France

Description: This series of six tapestries from the late 15th century is often interpreted as an allegory of the senses, with the sixth tapestry representing understanding, possibly linking to a cosmic or astrological dimension.

Visitor Information: The tapestries are on display at the Musée de Cluny, which specializes in medieval art.

The Zodiac Tapestries at the Castello Sforzesco

Location: Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy

Description: Housed within the castle, these tapestries depict the zodiac signs surrounded by mythical figures and scenes, reflecting the astrological knowledge and symbolism of the period.

Visitor Information: The Zodiac Tapestries can be viewed by the public as part of the castle museum’s collection.

The Hunt of the Unicorn Tapestries

Location: The Cloisters, New York, USA

Description: While primarily focused on the hunt of a unicorn, this series of seven tapestries is rich with symbolic imagery, including astrological symbols that were part of the medieval worldview.

Visitor Information: The tapestries are on display at The Cloisters museum, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The Planetary and Zodiac Tapestries

Location: Various collections

Description: A series of tapestries from the early 16th century that feature personifications of the planets and signs of the zodiac, illustrating the influence of celestial bodies on human affairs.

Visitor Information: These tapestries are held in different museums and private collections, with some pieces occasionally loaned out for special exhibitions.

The Astrolabes Tapestry Series

Location: Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, Munich, Germany

Description: These tapestries depict various scientific instruments, including astrolabes, and celestial charts, demonstrating the medieval fascination with astrology and the cosmos.

Visitor Information: The tapestries are part of the permanent collection at the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum.

The ‘Mazarin’ Tapestries

Location: The Louvre Museum, Paris, France

Description: Named after Cardinal Mazarin, these tapestries include astrological motifs and personifications of the zodiac, reflecting the cardinal’s interest in the subject.

Visitor Information: Pieces from this collection are periodically displayed at the Louvre Museum.

The Devonshire Hunting Tapestries

Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England

Description: Among the largest and most magnificent tapestries in existence, these feature hunting scenes with borders that include astrological symbols.

Visitor Information: The tapestries are on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Medieval & Renaissance galleries.

Conclusion

As we traverse the artistic landscape of the Middle Ages, the omnipresence of astrology is undeniable. From pages gleaming with gold to towering stone edifices, to tales woven in colorful threads, the celestial realm permeated medieval artistry. These art forms not only celebrated the stars but also conveyed a profound understanding of humanity’s place within the cosmos. Today, as we stand in awe of these masterpieces, we are reminded of the eternal dance between the heavens and earth, a dance that continues to inspire and mystify.