Popular culture often displays a stereotypical view of the Middle
Ages which does not reflect the sophisticated social, economic,
technical, and spiritual environment of the period.  The vibrant
miniatures of Books of Hours are well known, but these images are
complex and their place in medieval art and culture is a fascinating
way to learn about the richness and subtlety of the medieval world.
While the most famous examples of these illustrations are widely
recognized, such works include a wide variety of artistic styles and
sophisticated symbols and references to enhance the meaning of the
texts in which they appear.  Since these books were produced for
private devotion, the art often had special meaning to particular
individuals or in particular locations.  This course will use
interdisciplinary methods to examine and interpret these images.