Beginnings: The Story of Creation in the Middle Ages

Exhibition
Exhibition banner image of a woman's profile on a gold background facing four roundels of medieval illustrations

Left: Portrait of Eve (detail), 2021, Harmonia Rosales. Oil, gold leaf, and silver leaf on panel. The Akil Family. © Harmonia Rosales

Photo: Brad Kaye

Creation stories imagine the world’s origins, often leading to a shared cultural vision of identity and values. For medieval Christians, the Biblical story of the seven days of Creation was essential to understanding the natural and spiritual realms, as well as humanity’s role in bridging the two. This exhibition features manuscripts from Getty’s collection alongside select contemporary paintings by LA-based artist Harmonia Rosales to explore how the Creation was visualized, represented, and interpreted both in the Middle Ages and today.

This exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Esta exhibición se presenta en inglés y en español.

Jan 27–Apr 19, 2026

Getty Center

Museum North Pavillion, Plaza Level

Free

All exhibitions are included in your free, timed-entry reservation to Getty. Reservations are available six weeks in advance. Please note, there is a fee for parking.

Plan your visit

Selected Works

  • The Creation of the World

    from the Stammheim Missal, probably 1170s, German. Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 64 (97.MG.21), fol.10v

    Manuscript illumination with Jesus and angels presiding over various scenes below.

  • The Creation of the World

    from a Bible, 1637–38, Malnazar and Aghap’ir. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig I 14 (83.MA.63), fol. 2v

    Manuscript illustration of a religious figure guiding two humans through a series of transformations

  • The Fall of the Rebel Angels

    from Book of Good Manners, about 1430, French. Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and pen and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XIV 9 (83.MQ.170), fol. 3v

    Decorative flourishes surround a painting of two gold-winged angels using staffs to force winged blue-gray devils into the giant open mouth of a master with jagged white teeth.

  • The Creation of Eve (detail)

    The Creation of Eve (detail), from Concerning Famous Women, written about 1470, illuminated about 1515–20, Étienne Colaud (artist) and Giovanni Boccaccio (author). Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 129 (2024.156), fol. 3

    Illumination of a religious figure blessing a woman coming out of a man

  • Portrait of Eve

    2021, Harmonia Rosales. Oil, gold leaf, and silver leaf on panel. The Akil Family. © Harmonia Rosales. Photo: Brad Kaye

    Profile of a woman on a gold background

  • Creation

    2025, Harmonia Rosales. Oil, gold leaf, gold paint, and iron oxide on panel. Courtesy of the artist. © Harmonia Rosales. Photo: Elon Schoenholz Photography

    Painting of two figures embracing a scene of a woman reaching across a landscape with her arms turning into a tree

  • The Creation of the Sun and the Moon

    from the Historical Bible, about 1360–70, Master of Jean de Mandeville. Tempera colors, gold, and ink on parchment. Getty Museum, Ms. 1, vol. 1 (84.MA.40.1), fol.5

    Illustration from medieval manuscript of figure in a white robe holding two golden sphere skyward on a red and blue checkered background.

Contact

Media Contact: Sidney Kantono

For press inquiries related to this exhibition, please email skantono@getty.edu

Exhibition Resources