Floor plan

West wing: Old MastersRenaissance

Renaissance

Portrait of a Couple, c. 1580–88
A work made of woodcut in black on tan 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.
Painting of the Annunciation, dove flying above Mary with angel.
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.
Painting of Judith, naked, holding sword, with head of Holophernes.
Battle of the Nudes, by Antonio Pollaiuolo, 1470s–80s

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. Portrait of a Couple, c. 1580–88
    Portrait of a CoupleUnrecorded Italian maker, c. 1580–88Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. A work made of woodcut in black on tan laid paper.
    The Circumcision of Christ, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer, c. 1505, published 1511Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. 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
  4. Painting of the Annunciation, dove flying above Mary with angel.
    The AnnunciationJean Hey (called Master of Moulins), 1490–95Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 1, south 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. Painting of Judith, naked, holding sword, with head of Holophernes.
    JudithJan Sanders van Hemessen, c. 1540Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  3. Battle of the Nudes, by Antonio Pollaiuolo, 1470s–80s
    Battle of the NudesAntonio Pollaiuolo, 1470s–80sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Section 2, south wall

  1. The Power of Women: Samson and Delilah, by Lucas van Leyden, c. 1512
    The Power of Women: Samson and DelilahLucas van Leyden, c. 1512Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Madonna and Child in a Niche, by Antonio del Ceraiolo, c. 1520s
    Madonna and Child in a NicheAntonio del Ceraiolo, c. 1520sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist, by Bernardino Luini, 1500s or later
    Salome with the Head of Saint John the BaptistBernardino Luini, 1500s or laterCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  4. 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

Section 2, north wall

  1. A work made of tempera on panel.
    Saint Anthony AbbotFra Angelico, 1440–41Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Death of the Virgin, mid-1500s
    Death of the VirginUnrecorded Italian maker, mid-1500sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. 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

Section 3, north wall

  1. A work made of pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash, on tan laid paper, laid down on tan laid card.
    Group of Nine Standing FiguresParmigianino, 1524/27Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. 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