Book of Beasts: The Bestiary in the Medieval World

A richly illustrated celebration of medieval bestiaries and their lasting legacy

“Beautiful.”—The Washington Post

Winner of 2020 PROSE Award, Art Exhibitions

Shortlisted for the Alfred H. Barr Jr. Award

Brimming with animals both real and fantastic, the bestiary was one of the great illuminated manuscript traditions of the Middle Ages. Through stories of unicorns, griffins, sirens, elephants, tigers, dogs, and countless other creatures, these remarkable books reveal how medieval people understood animals and their role in the world. So iconic were the creatures and stories of the bestiary that they inspired imagery far beyond the page, appearing in tapestries, ivories, metalwork, and sculpture.

This award-winning volume contains:

• Over 280 color illustrations showcasing medieval beasts and the art they inspired.
• Contributions by 26 leading scholars exploring the bestiary and its widespread influence on medieval art and culture.
• Modern and contemporary connections to artists including Pablo Picasso and Damien Hirst

Bestiaries helped popularize many of the animal associations we still recognize today, from loyal dogs and cunning foxes to pure unicorns. Open these lush pages and explore the medieval imagination

Published to accompany an exhibition held at the J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center from May 14 to August 18, 2019.