Art of the Middle Ages, 550-1450, was complex and intriguing, fraught with religious fervor and  symbolism.  The Catholic Church, the all powerful institution of the time, commissioned Biblically themed art-works such as  paintings, sculptures, architecture and  illuminated manuscripts.   Stories of the Bible were told and retold continuously--painted, sermonized, allegorized, embellished, creating a convincing and mysterious faith.

 In a society of limited literacy, constant outbreaks of black death, smallpox, leprosy, and the ever present threat of famine, art was a true sanctuary.  Paintings were darkly mystical, infused with an ethereal emotional intensity. The mysticism of the Middle Ages imparts a sense of uniqueness and wonder to art. Painters from this time period had a taste for the  poetic and their use of symbols are secretive hints and glances into the mysterious religious world that lies behind the dark reality of the times.   As time went on the  style of painting was a reflection of the transformation that was taking place in Europe, the change from the feudal system to a more enlightened society.

With the triumph of Christianity,  artists aspired to reawaken the divine spirit of holy figures rather than depict their physical qualities.  Their unique style is a  combination of  frontal simplicity, truth to nature, harmonious unity together with precision in details.  The use of costly materials such as gold, precious stones and ivory indicates the degree of wealth that was common during this period, and attests to the sophistication of the  culture. 

Gothic style represented early Christian culture and values as well as courtly splendor.  Most prominently featured  are  the holy symbols of the Christian faith--Christ,  Saints, The Cross,  Virgin Mary,  Chalice, Keys, The Anchor, Wheat ,  Animals, Fish, Angels, Birds, Insects  and Satan and his henchmen.