Going Places: Travel in the Middle Ages

Exhibition
Manuscript illumination of two men in a boat traveling on a river. In the background are trees and buildings.

Barlaam, Carrying a Shoulder Pack, Crosses a River (detail) from Barlaam and Josephat, 1469, follower of Hans Schilling. Ink, colored washes, and tempera colors. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 9 (83.MR.179), fol. 38v

In medieval art, the act of movement from one place to another was conceptualized in a variety of imaginative forms. Featuring manuscripts from the Getty’s collection, this exhibition explores the reasons for travel, different modes of medieval travel, and examples of typical travelers. Illustrations often accurately documented the realities of travel and prompted viewers to travel virtually through their imaginations. The exhibition showcases the wide variety of contexts for medieval movement, from religious travel to diplomacy, trade, exploration, and exploitation.

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

Sep 2–Nov 30, 2025

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.

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Selected Works

  • Villagers on Their Way to Church from Book of Hours

    about 1550, Simon Bening. Tempera colors and gold paint. Getty Museum, Ms. 50 (93.MS.19), recto

    Illustrated scene of a small village and church with people in medieval dress and dogs walking down a path in the foreground.

  • The Torment of the Proud - Valley of Burning Sulphur from Visions of the Knight Tondal

    1475, Simon Marmion. Tempera colors, gold leaf, gold paint, and ink. Getty Museum, Ms. 30 (87.MN.141), fol. 15v

    Medieval manuscript page bordered by floral detail and initials at the bottom that frame an image of an angel leading a nude figure in darkness above gothic script.

  • The Sick, the Leprous, and the Lame Praying at Saint Hedwig's Tomb; People Coming to Visit Saint Hedwig's Tomb from Life of the Blessed Hedwig

    1353, Silesian. Tempera colors, colored washes, and ink. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XI 7 (83.MN.126), fol.87v

    Illustrated manuscript page with two illustrations. The upper shows people praying at a tomb of saint, the lower shows people being pulled in a wagon.

  • Barlaam, Carrying a Shoulder Pack, Crosses a River from Barlaam and Josephat

    1469, follower of Hans Schilling. Ink, colored washes, and tempera colors. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 9 (83.MR.179), fol. 38v

    Manuscript illumination of two men in a boat traveling on a river. In the background are trees and buildings.

  • St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child from Book of Hours

    about 1420, Spitz Master. Tempera colors, gold, and ink. Getty Museum, Ms. 57 (94.ML.26), fol. 42v

    Highly illustrated manuscript page featuring a border of six small figures and multi-colored foliage surrounding a central image of a robed saint carrying a child through water.

  • China (Seres) from Book of the Marvels of the World

    1460-65, Master of the Geneva Boccaccio. Colored washes, gold, and ink. Getty Museum, Ms. 124 (2022.15), fol. 30v

    Manuscript page featuring a large section of script surrounding an illustration of figures carrying sacks off of a boat as a group looks on. Dragons can be seen at the left of the group.

Contact

Media Contact: Sidney Kantono

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

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