Floor plan

West wing: Old MastersRenaissance

Renaissance

St. Catherine of Siena and the Beggar, by Giovanni di Paolo, 1460s
Samson and the Lion, from "The Story of Samson", ca. 1560–80
This is a drawing of two armored figures on horseback engaged in a joust. Both knights are clad in ornate armor and mounted on horses as they participate in the match. The scene captures the moment of impact, with splintered lances flying in the air. One knight in silver armor with blue accents is being unseated from his horse, while the other knight in red and silver armor remains mounted. Both horses are draped in colors matching their riders' armors. The focus is on the dynamic action and energy of the joust, with fine details showing the armor's shine and the movement of the horses. The drawing is bordered, and there is some script at the top and bottom.
Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian, by Hans Burgkmair, 1508
A work made of brush and opaque watercolor, on linen prepared with a gray ground, mounted to cream laid paper.
This is a drawing of two armored knights on horseback during a joust. It depicts two horses with riders clad in full armor, including helmets with decorative details. Each knight holds a lance, poised as if they are about to engage in a jousting match. The horses are also adorned in armor, with a colorful caparison draped over them. On the ground, there are lances and a halberd seen in the foreground. There are also disembodied arms and hands illustrated in the composition, adding an abstract element. The style is illustrative, capturing the medieval theme of chivalric tournaments.
A work made of etching in black on cream laid paper.
A work made of oil on panel.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

European art from about 1400 to 1600, when painters rediscovered perspective and the classical past.

Section 1, north wall

  1. St. Catherine of Siena and the Beggar, by Giovanni di Paolo, 1460s
    St. Catherine of Siena and the BeggarGiovanni di Paolo, 1460sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Samson and the Lion, from "The Story of Samson", ca. 1560–80
    Samson and the Lion, from "The Story of Samson"Unrecorded French maker, ca. 1560–80Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. This is a drawing of two armored figures on horseback engaged in a joust. Both knights are clad in ornate armor and mounted on horses as they participate in the match. The scene captures the moment of impact, with splintered lances flying in the air. One knight in silver armor with blue accents is being unseated from his horse, while the other knight in red and silver armor remains mounted. Both horses are draped in colors matching their riders' armors. The focus is on the dynamic action and energy of the joust, with fine details showing the armor's shine and the movement of the horses. The drawing is bordered, and there is some script at the top and bottom.
    Italian Joust of PeaceUnrecorded German maker, c.1512-1515Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor Maximilian, by Hans Burgkmair, 1508
    Equestrian Portrait of the Emperor MaximilianHans Burgkmair, 1508Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 1, south wall

  1. A work made of brush and opaque watercolor, on linen prepared with a gray ground, mounted to cream laid paper.
    Drapery Study of a Standing Figure Facing Right, in ProfileAndrea del Verrocchio, late 1460s–early 1470sCourtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. This is a drawing of two armored knights on horseback during a joust. It depicts two horses with riders clad in full armor, including helmets with decorative details. Each knight holds a lance, poised as if they are about to engage in a jousting match. The horses are also adorned in armor, with a colorful caparison draped over them. On the ground, there are lances and a halberd seen in the foreground. There are also disembodied arms and hands illustrated in the composition, adding an abstract element. The style is illustrative, capturing the medieval theme of chivalric tournaments.
    Mock Joust of War with Flying Shields and Without BevorsUnrecorded German maker, c.1512-1515Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. A work made of etching in black on cream laid paper.
    Saint Catherine of Siena Receiving the StigmataFrancesco Vanni, c. 1595Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  4. A work made of oil on panel.
    The Fall of Man with Scenes of the CreationAugustus Cordus, 1544Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, south wall

  1. A work made of oil on panel.
    Christ Carrying the CrossSebastiano del Piombo, c. 1515–17Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. A work made of engraving in black on ivory laid paper.
    Angelica and MedoroGiorgio Ghisi, c. 1570Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. A work made of tempera on panel.
    Saint John the Baptist Entering the WildernessGiovanni di Paolo, 1455–60Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  4. A work made of engraving in black on cream laid paper.
    The Academy of Baccio BandinelliEnea Vico, 1544/50, printed c. 1560sCourtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, north wall

  1. Outdoors, distinct groupings of adult men and women, some with halos, gather near a building. The front-facing wall of the building is not depicted, allowing for a view inside, where a woman sits in bed with two women nearby and two other women dress a baby. A bearded man sits near the bed.
    Scenes from the Life of Saint John the BaptistBartolomeo di Giovanni, 1490/95Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Study for the Nude Youth over the Prophet Daniel (recto); Figure Studies for the Sistine Ceiling (verso), by Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1510–11
    Study for the Nude Youth over the Prophet Daniel (recto); Figure Studies for the Sistine Ceiling (verso)Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1510–11Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. The Passion: The Agony in the Garden, by Martin Schongauer, c. 1480
    The Passion: The Agony in the GardenMartin Schongauer, c. 1480Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  4. Holy Family with a Shepherd, by Battista Dossi, early 1520s
    Holy Family with a ShepherdBattista Dossi, early 1520sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art