Art History Timeline / Medieval and Gothic Art
Medieval and Gothic Art for Kids: Art History, Artists and an Easy Art Activity
In the Middle Ages, people built castles and huge churches. Artists filled windows with stained glass and decorated handwritten books with gold and bright colours. Some books were so small you could hold them in one hand.
For teachers
Medieval art was largely made for churches, rulers and wealthy patrons. Illuminated manuscripts were written and painted by hand, and Gothic cathedrals (from the 1100s) used pointed arches and large stained glass windows to fill spaces with coloured light. Tapestries, metalwork and carved ivory were also important art forms.
What to look for
Pull up an artwork from this time and go on a looking hunt. Here is what to spot.
- Gold leaf and bright jewel colours
- Decorated first letters in books
- Stained glass with dark outlines
- Pointed arches
Meet the artists
Hildegard of Bingen
1098 to 1179
She was a nun, writer and composer whose visions were turned into bright pictures in her books.
Giotto
about 1267 to 1337
He painted people with real feelings and solid bodies, which led the way to the Renaissance.
Jean Pucelle
active about 1320 to 1334
He painted a tiny prayer book for a French queen that is now at The Met Cloisters.
The Limbourg Brothers
active about 1400 to 1416
Three brothers who painted beautiful calendar pages and prayer books for a French duke.
Artworks to look at closely
Click any artwork to zoom in on The Met website. Big screen, slow looking, lots of talking.
The Hours of Jeanne d'Evreux, Queen of FranceJean Pucelle, ca. 1324 to 28The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
The Belles Heures of Jean de France, duc de BerryThe Limbourg Brothers, 1405 to 1408/1409The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
The Unicorn Rests in a Garden (from the Unicorn Tapestries)French (cartoon)/South Netherlandish (woven) artist, 1495 to 1505The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The Met
Angels Swinging CensersFrench artist, ca. 1170The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open AccessSee it at The MetTry it
An easy art activity you can do with paper and whatever drawing tools you have.
Design the first letter of your name like a page from an illuminated book. Draw a big fancy letter, then fill it with vines, tiny animals and patterns. Add gold or yellow and outline everything in black.
Ms Artastic lessons
The video lessons below connect to this part of the timeline. Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and a printable lesson plan. For free lessons you can teach this week, open the Free Art Lesson Library.
Open the Free Art Lesson LibraryBooks for your art shelf
- Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction by David Macaulay
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Questions teachers and parents ask
What is medieval and Gothic art?
In the Middle Ages, people built castles and huge churches. Artists filled windows with stained glass and decorated handwritten books with gold and bright colours. Some books were so small you could hold them in one hand.
What time period is medieval and Gothic art from?
Time period: About 500 to 1450. Where: Europe.
Who are some famous artists of medieval and Gothic art?
Hildegard of Bingen (1098 to 1179), Giotto (about 1267 to 1337), Jean Pucelle (active about 1320 to 1334) and The Limbourg Brothers (active about 1400 to 1416).
What is an easy art project for kids about medieval and Gothic art?
Design the first letter of your name like a page from an illuminated book. Draw a big fancy letter, then fill it with vines, tiny animals and patterns. Add gold or yellow and outline everything in black.
The Artastic Collective art curriculum
Full art lessons, videos and units for the whole year, ready when you are. Monthly, yearly and VIP plans.
Medieval art video lessons
Press play and paint along with me. Each video lesson comes with a printable lesson plan and a QR code, so it is ready for the classroom or the kitchen table.
🎬 Video lessons
Teach it with a video lesson
Each one has a step-by-step video tutorial and the printable lesson plan.
