2 Fans

The Fantasy of the Middle Ages: An Epic Journey through Imaginary Medieval Worlds

Larisa Grollemond and Bryan C. Keene This abundantly illustrated book is an illuminating exploration of the impact of medieval imagery on three hundred years of visual culture. From the soaring castles of Sleeping Beauty to the bloody battles of Game of Thrones, from Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to mythical beasts in Dungeons & Dragons, and from Medieval Times to the Renaissance Faire, the Middle Ages have inspired artists, playwrights, filmmakers, gamers, and writers for centuries. Indeed, no other historical era has captured the imaginations of so many creators. <meta charset="utf-8">This volume aims to uncover the many reasons why the Middle Ages have proven so applicable to a variety of modern moments from the eighteenth through the twenty-first century. These “medieval” worlds are often the perfect ground for exploring contemporary cultural concerns and anxieties, saying much more about the time and place in which they were created than they do about the actual conditions of the medieval period. With over 140 color illustrations, from sources ranging from thirteenth-century illuminated manuscripts to contemporary films and video games, and a preface by Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton, The Fantasy of the Middle Ages will surprise and delight both enthusiasts and scholars. This title is published to accompany an exhibition on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center from June 21 to September 11, 2022. Larisa Grollemond is assistant curator of manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum and was a contributing editor for <a title="Book of Beasts: The Bestiary in the Medieval World" href="https://shop.getty.edu/products/book-of-beasts-br-the-bestiary-in-the-medieval-world-978-1606065907" target="_blank">Book of Beasts: The Bestiary in the Medieval World</a> (Getty Publications, 2019). Bryan C. Keene is an assistant professor of art history at Riverside City College and a former associate curator of Manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum. “Excellent.” —Hyperallergic “By turns informative and captivating, this will enchant historians as much as it will reenactors of the Renaissance Faire stripe.” —Publishers Weekly “A comprehensive, inclusive analysis of the many ways in which the Middle Ages inform popular culture. . . . Provocative and thorough.” —Jeana Jorgensen, Foreword Reviews "This lively and engaging book highlights the key role that visual culture has played in constructing modern (mis)understandings of the so-called Middle Ages. Delightful images of everything from precious antiquities to contemporary film stills support the authors’ insightful analyses. Direct and nuanced engagement with issues around race, gender, sexuality, and other questions of diversity make The Fantasy of the Middle Ages essential reading for anyone curious about how we come to know the material cultures of the past as well as the present.” —Maggie M. Williams, Executive Director, The Material Collective “A fascination on every page. This bright and bold exploration of medievalism is not just a collection of stories told and reimagined in every new age, but a rich tapestry in its own right. Inclusive, illuminating, and filled with insight.” —A. R. Capetta & Cory McCarthy, authors of the be