Medieval Monsters: Terrors, Aliens, Wonders

Monsters possess transformative powers, rendering them at once profoundly dangerous and utterly fascinating. They play an important role throughout the history of Western civilization. Medieval Monsters explores the cultural importance and rich variety of monstrosities in the art of the Middle Ages, with examples drawn from the Morgan Library & Museum’s renowned collection of illuminated manuscripts. While presenting a lively array of strange beauties and frightful anomalies - demons and dragons, centaurs and unicorns, giants and grotesque hybrids - the authors reveal how monsters played a central role in medieval societies, and still inspire us to marvel today. AUTHORS: Sherry C. M. Lindquist is associate professor of Art History at Western Illinois University. Asa Simon Mittman is professor of Art History at California State University in Chico. SELLING POINTS: . A great visual exploration of our enduring fascination with the fantasy world . Will appeal to all kinds of readers and resonate strongly with contemporary issues linked to alienation and otherness . Preface by award-winning fantasy fiction writer China MiEville argues for the enduring relevance of monsters in today’s world 100 colour images