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    Sacred Landscapes: Nature in Renaissance Manuscripts

    October 10, 2017–January 7, 2018

    Getty Center

    <em>Saint Jerome</em>, from the <em>Getty Epistles</em>, about 1528-30, Paris or Tours, Master of the Getty Epistles. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    Saint Jerome (detail), from the Getty Epistles, about 1528-30, Paris or Tours, Master of the Getty Epistles. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>Mary Magdalene Borne Aloft</em>, from the <em>Gualenghi-d’Este Hours</em>, about 1469, Ferrara, Taddeo Crivelli. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    Mary Magdalene Borne Aloft, from the Gualenghi-d’Este Hours, about 1469, Ferrara, Taddeo Crivelli. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>The Assumption of the Virgin</em>, from the <em>Spinola Hours</em>, about 1510-20, Ghent or Bruges, Master of James IV of Scotland. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    The Assumption of the Virgin, from the Spinola Hours, about 1510-20, Ghent or Bruges, Master of James IV of Scotland. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>Scenes from the Creation</em>, from the <em>Prayer Book of Cardinal Albrecht of Bradenburg</em>, about 1525-30, Bruges, Simon Bening. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    Scenes from the Creation, from the Prayer Book of Cardinal Albrecht of Bradenburg, about 1525-30, Bruges, Simon Bening. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>The Virgin and Child in a Red Rose with a Rosary</em>, from an illustrated <em>Vita Christi</em>, with devotional supplements, about 1490, East Anglia, artist unknown. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    The Virgin and Child in a Red Rose with a Rosary (detail), from an illustrated Vita Christi, with devotional supplements, about 1490, East Anglia, artist unknown. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>The Virgin and Child on a Grassy Bench</em>, about 1500. Pen and brown ink; strip at top added later, Germany, Nuremberg School. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    The Virgin and Child on a Grassy Bench, about 1500. Pen and brown ink; strip at top added later, Germany, Nuremberg School. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>Villagers on Their Way to Church</em>, calendar miniature from a book of hours, about 1550, Bruges, Simon Bening. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    Villagers on Their Way to Church, calendar miniature from a book of hours, about 1550, Bruges, Simon Bening. The J. Paul Getty Museum

  • <em>The Crucifixion</em>, leaf from the <em>Missal of Innocent VIII</em>, 1484-92, Rome, Giuliano Amadei. The J. Paul Getty Museum

    The Crucifixion, leaf from the Missal of Innocent VIII, 1484-92, Rome, Giuliano Amadei. The J. Paul Getty Museum

Sacred Landscapes: Nature in Renaissance Manuscripts

October 10, 2017–January 7, 2018, Getty Center

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God is living, being, spirit, all verdant being, all creativity –Hildegard of Bingen

In Renaissance Europe, many people looked to nature for spiritual inspiration and to guide their contemplation of the divine. In manuscripts created for personal or communal devotion, elements of nature—such as rocks, trees, flowers, waterways, mountains, and even the atmosphere—add layers of meaning to the illuminations, which were painted with careful observation of every minute detail. These landscapes remind readers to appreciate, and respect, the wonder of creation.

Related Events

TALK
How Does Nature Deepen Our Connection to the Sacred?

From pre-Renaissance to modern times, humanity has turned to nature for comfort and connection. What aspects of nature elicit such sentiments? And how does communing with nature affect our relationship with the world around us, and with one another? This panel with Chiyo Ishikawa, curator of European painting and sculpture at the Seattle Art Museum; Christopher (Toby) McLeod, director of the Sacred Land Film Project; and Sara Patterson, professor of theological studies at Hanover College, considers how and why nature draws us closer to the gods. Moderated by documentary filmmaker Jody Hassett Sanchez.

Sunday, November 12, 3:00 p.m.
Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium

COURSE
Drawing from the Masters: Drawing Landscapes

Explore techniques for composing pictorial elements, dividing space and suggesting depth to create dynamic landscape drawings with artist Peter Zokosky. All experience levels welcome. Sign-up begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Information Desk.

Sundays, November 5 and 19, 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum Galleries

Publication

GALLERY TEXT

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