Decoding the Bizarre Aesthetics of Medieval Art: A Definitive Guide
Discover the enigmatic world of medieval art with this captivating new book Explore the bizarre and fascinating creations of the era as the renowned researcher from Weird Medieval Guys provides insights on finding joy and inspiration in times of darkness
Editor's note: Culture Queue is a continuous series of suggestions for current books, movies, podcasts, and music to explore. Interested in living like you're from the Middle Ages? While it may not be a common goal, it's a topic that Olivia M. Swarthout has become an expert in.
Swarthout, the creator of the beloved art history-themed social media account, Weird Medieval Guys, has amassed nearly 700,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) since debuting in April 2022 under the handle @WeirdMedieval. Her new book, "Weird Medieval Guys: How to Live, Love, Laugh (and Die) in Dark Times," offers a tongue-in-cheek look at living like it's 999 AD or thereabouts.
Even if you don't follow the account, you may have come across Swarthout's work in your social media feeds. Her clever captions accompany whimsical, often bizarre illustrations from 6th to 15th-century manuscripts, showcasing jovial skeletons, pallid angels, peculiar animals, and the daily lives of commoners, now popular as memes. These include floating babies, a knight humorously stabbing himself with the caption "I'm out," a cat carrying a severed penis, and two men demonstrating peculiarly suggestive sword-fighting tactics.
History repeats itself
Swarthout's latest illustrated book offers a humorous and insightful look into life during the Middle Ages, providing a modern perspective on the broader Medieval culture. Have you ever wondered what your name would be if you lived in that time? Perhaps Ratbald? Wulfwynn? Or simply Guy?
Discover the significance of choosing a patron saint, which holds as much importance as your astrological sign. Meet eligible Medieval singles in your area and explore the intriguing world of settling disputes with trial-by-combat tips (including the requirement for a man to be chest-deep in a hole if the dispute involves a man and a woman, to level the playing field). Also, learn how to spot the dangerous man-lion-scorpion-hybrid manticore in the wild, known for its affinity for silly hats.
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"This 14th-century French illustration depicts my return from the Holy Land only to find my front door unhinged. It turns out that my wife had relocated to live with the blacksmith next door," Swarthout wrote. This image is from the British Library and is courtesy of Penguin Random House.
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"Even plants can display some quirky characteristics," Swarthout stated. This particular artwork is featured in an Italian collection of healing plants, some of which appear to have faces and perhaps even opinions about their surroundings.
During the Medieval era, much of the art created was inspired by everyday life and experiences that were part of popular culture," Swarthout explained in a conversation with CNN. "By focusing the book on life in general and the broader medieval world, I was able to effectively bring together a variety of different topics."
She was surprised by the rapid rise in popularity of her Twitter account, admitting that it felt surreal, especially at the beginning. Swarthout, a recent graduate in statistics who took art history during undergrad, is not a historian. Despite the abundance of art history humor accounts on Twitter and Instagram, Swarthout's content has grown more substantial, expanding to include a Substack and a podcast with the same name for followers interested in delving deeper into the artworks featured on her social media.
"I didnt really intend for it to be a meme account, although I think there is a lot of intrinsic humor," she said. "A lot of the content is just funny on its own."
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Swarthout writes about a detail from an early 16th-century manuscript, depicting Jonah and the big fish that refuses to let him go. It is evident that one of them will have to give in. Biblissima+/Courtesy Penguin Random House
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"Bagpipes? I think I'll pass. Can we get a skeleton who can play a more pleasant tune, please?" This artwork is a representation of the Danse Macabre theme, depicting the grim reaper guiding the deceased with music to the next life.
The Württemberg State Library in Stuttgart, photo courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Medieval art has a unique and unconventional quality for a reason. Unlike artwork from other historical periods, which was typically created by trained artists, the illuminated manuscripts from the Medieval era were often crafted by monks and tradespeople who did not adhere to the artistic conventions of the time.
Swarthout explained that it's like peering into the inner lives of everyday people, something that is rarely explored in art history. The witch isn't dead: a new book delves into the rebellious history of witchcraft and its modern transformation.
Our modern era is vastly different from the Middle Ages - how could you possibly explain a viral art history meme on Twitter to a 9th-century peasant farmer? But through humor, time seems to flatten out a bit in each image. Swarthout envisions people from centuries ago finding joy in some of the illustrations, such as a small depiction of a cat churning butter.
"You can look at it and imagine that it was just as funny and just as endearing back then," she explained. "Many images like that provide a fun way to connect with individuals who lived hundreds of years ago."
Add to Queue: Party like its 999
Tune in to the "Weird Medieval Guys" podcast (2022-)! Swarthout has introduced a podcast series that builds upon her social media influence since last summer. The series covers relevant topics such as an in-depth exploration of three significant "wife guys" from that time period, as well as the debate on whether a solitary Dorito could be fatal to a medieval peasant.
Experience the unique RPG "Pentiment" (2022) that immerses players in a murder mystery set in a fictional 16th-century Bavarian town. Take on the role of artist protagonist Andreas as he navigates through an illuminated manuscript-style world during his apprenticeship. Available on Xbox and Steam, "Pentiment" has garnered critical acclaim and received multiple award nominations for its innovative approach.
Discover "The Grand Medieval Bestiary" (2018) for an in-depth exploration of the often bizarre depictions of animals from that era. This comprehensive 587-image compendium showcases both real and mythical creatures, offering detailed entries on 100 different beasts and enriching essays filled with lore. If you have a passion for the unusual and absurd animal kingdom of the Medieval period, this book is essential reading.
Experience the classic satire "Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)" that brilliantly mines the Middle Ages for comedic gold and takes a farcical journey in search of the Holy Grail alongside the Monty Python troupe.
Delve into the illustrated history book "Medieval Bodies: Life, Death and Art in the Middle Ages" (2019) by art historian Jack Hartnell, which challenges the misconception of the Middle Ages as ignorant and unsophisticated. Instead, it focuses on insightful, advanced, and fantastical beliefs about the body and medicine through detailed stories and artwork.
