Of the numerous museums and galleries that I have visited, the Cloisters is one of my all time favorites. Both the art and the building itself are magnificent. I have been fascinated by medieval art and history for a long time but there’s something really special about standing in the middle of something so tangible from this period in history. And as you’d expect from a branch of the MET, this is a first class collection.
The Cloisters is a museum in New York City that is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Located in Fort Tryon Park, Upper Manhattan, The Cloisters are dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe. How slices of medieval history landed in Manhattan is a fascinating story in itself. The museum, built around the remains of several European cloisters, has been dismantled and transported to the United States. In the early 20th century, the pieces were reassembled here, providing Americans with a slice of Europe.
History Of The Museum
The story of The Cloisters begins with George Grey Barnard, an American sculptor who began collecting medieval art and architectural fragments in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, he acquired a large collection of architectural elements from French medieval buildings, including parts of the cloisters of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, and Bonnefont-en-Comminges.
Barnard envisioned creating a museum in the United States that would showcase these architectural fragments and other medieval art objects. He began working with architect Charles Collens to design a building that would house his collection. Then, in 1925, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. became interested in Barnard’s project and agreed to provide the funding needed to build the museum. Rockefeller purchased land in Fort Tryon Park and donated it to the City of New York for the museum’s construction.
The Cloisters opened to the public in 1938, and quickly became a popular destination for art lovers and tourists alike. Over the years, the museum has expanded its collection of medieval art and architecture, and has undergone several renovations and additions.
Today, The Cloisters is one of the premier museums of medieval art in the world, with a collection that includes illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, metalwork, and textiles. Its beautiful gardens and scenic location make it a popular spot for visitors to New York City.
The fact that it is located so far from the origins of its subject is part of what makes it so special. Not only is the passion of Barnard palpable in the displays but so much of this history could easily have been lost, but for his love of the art and architecture of the time.
The Unicorn Tapestries
The Unicorn Tapestries, also known as The Hunt of the Unicorn, is a set of seven tapestries on display at The Cloisters museum in New York City. The tapestries are widely considered to be one of the greatest surviving examples of medieval art, and their origins and meaning have been the subject of much scholarly debate.
These tapestries were most likely created during the late 15th century, coming from Brussels or the nearby town of Tournai. Tournai was a center of tapestry production at the time. Made from wool and silk, they feature vivid colors and minutely intricate detail. They depict the hunting and capture of a mythical creature, the unicorn, by a group of noblemen and hunters.
The meaning of the tapestries has been the subject of much speculation. Some scholars believe that Anne of Brittany commissioned the tapestries. Anne became the queen consort of France, and the tapestries could have been a celebration of her marriage to King Louis XII in 1499. Another possibility is that they were made for the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, or another wealthy member of the Habsburg family. Either way, they are spectacular to behold.
I really love the depiction of the unicorns. The unicorn was a popular symbol in medieval art, representing purity, innocence and Christ himself. The tapestries also feature many other symbolic elements. In particular, the use of the color red represents Christ’s sacrifice. Many of the plants and animals depicted were also believed to have medicinal or mystical properties.
The tapestries were eventually acquired by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who donated them to The Cloisters museum in the 1930s. Today, they are one of the museum’s most popular attractions and continue to fascinate visitors with their beauty and mystery.
Angels of the Annunciation
The museum boasts a large collection of medieval stained glass windows. Most have been salvaged from various European churches and cathedrals. One of the most famous windows in the collection depicts an angel.
The circa 13th Century ‘Angel Window‘ most likely originates from France or Germany. Made of painted and leaded glass, it features a winged figure in a flowing robe, holding a lily in one hand and a scroll in the other. The figure, surrounded by decorative borders and floral motifs, floats in the glass.
The window originates from the chapel of the Château de Wideville, near Paris. The chapel was destroyed during the French Revolution, however, most thankfully, the stained glass windows were saved. Eventually, they make their way to the United States with Barnard purchasing the windows in the early 20th century. They passed on to John D. Rockefeller Jr., who donated them to The Cloisters in 1938. It has been on display in the museum’s Fuentidueña Chapel ever since.
The Angel Window is notable for its exceptional beauty and craftsmanship, as well as its historical significance. It is a testament to the skill of medieval glassmakers and a reminder of the rich artistic heritage of Europe’s cathedrals and churches.
Fuentidueña Apse
The Apse from San Martin at Fuentidueña has its own remarkable story. Completely disassembled in Spain and reassembled here at The Cloisters after years of negotiations. It is remarkable for its history both before and after the transfer.
Cuxa Cloister
Taken apart in Cuxa in the Spanish Pyrenees mountains and reassembled here, the Cuxa Cloister is about half of the original size. Nevertheless, with the smell of lavender and a still moment under the arches and I can almost feel the Pyrenees around me.
“The original capitals, aback, sections of arcading, and portions of parapet copings that are incorporated into this cloister all come from the abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, constructed under Abbot Gregory between 1130 and 1146. The monastery was sacked in the seventeenth century and had fallen into ruins by the nineteenth. As reconstructed here, the cloister is about one quarter the size of the original, but the proportions remain approximately the same. The modern stone required for reconstruction was obtained from the original twelfth-century quarry. The capitals are vigorously carved; the planes are simple and clearly defined; and the decorative and figuratively motifs, concentrated at the corners, are architectonically arranged, providing strong visual support for the aback and arcading above. In addition to two unadorned examples, the capitals in this particular arcade are variously decorated with figures blowing horns, simple beasts with half-swallowed men in their mouths, and conjoined lions devouring men. The eight-sided fountain in the centre (26.79) dates to the thirteenth century and comes from the nearby monastery of Saint-Génis-des-Fontaines.”
The MET Cloisters
Good To Know
The MET Cloisters are a rich and fulfilling experience. It brings you as close to medieval times as is possible in the 21st Century.
See more:
- The Cuxa Cloisters
- The Apse of San Martin at Fuentidueña
Would I Return?
Yes. Beyond all doubt.