Illuminating Faith: The Eucharist in Medieval Life and Art

May 17 through September 15, 2013

When Christ changed bread and wine into his body and blood at the Last Supper, he instituted the Eucharist and established the central act of Christian worship. For medieval Christians, the Eucharist (the sacrament of Communion) was not only at the heart of the Mass, but its presence and symbolism also wielded enormous influence over cultural and civic life. Featuring more than sixty-five exquisitely illuminated manuscripts, Illuminating Faith offers glimpses into medieval culture and explores the ways in which artists of the period depicted the celebration of the sacrament and its powerful hold on society.

The exhibition presents some of the Morgan's finest works, including the Hours of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, considered to be one of the greatest of all Books of Hours; the Preparation for Mass of Pope Leo X, which remained at the Vatican until it was looted by Napoleon's troops in 1798; a private prayer book created for Anne de Bretagne, queen of France; and a number of rarely-exhibited Missals. Also on display are objects used in medieval Eucharistic rituals, such as a chalice, ciborium, pax, altar card, and monstrances.

Curator Roger Wieck discusses the Sacred Bleeding Host of Dijon, the cult of which thrived for over 350 years.

This exhibition is made possible by an anonymous gift with additional generous support from the Janine Luke and Melvin R. Seiden Fund for Exhibitions and Publications and by James Marrow and Emily Rose.

Elevation of the Eucharist, detail from the Della Rovere Missal
Italy, Rome, ca. 1485–90
Illuminated by the Master of the della Rovere
Missals (Jacopo Ravaldi?) for Cardinal Domenico della Rovere
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
MS M.306, fol. 119r
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1907
Photography: Graham S. Haber

Selected images

St. Bridget's Eucharistic Vision, from St. Bridget of Sweden, Revelations and other texts, in Latin

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1912

St. Anthony and the Miracle of the Mule

From the "Breviary of Eleanor of Portugal," Rome use, in Latin
Illuminated for Queen Eleanor of Portugal by Alexander Bening and Gerard Horenbout

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1902

The Sacred Bleeding Host of Dijon Adored by a Couple, from the Heures à l'usaige de Romme

Printed in France, Paris (Jean Poitevin), 1501
Illuminations added in Dijon, 1540s

Purchased on the Harper Fund and the Acquisitions Fund, 2003

The Sacred Bleeding Host of Dijon Enshrined in a Monstrance, from a Historiated initial from a Gradual, in Latin

Illuminated for the Ste.-Chapelle of Dijon by the Machéco Master (Oudot Matuchet?)

Purchased on the Edwin H. Herzog Fund and the Fellows Endowment Fund, 2005

Papal Procession at Old St. Peter's, from the "Farnese Hours," Rome use, in Latin

Illuminated for Cardinal Alessandro Farnese by Giulio Clovio

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1903

Priest Carrying the Host in a Monstrance, detail from a Missal, Franciscan use, in Latin

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, year unknown

Altar Prepared for the Feast of Corpus Christi, detail from an Antiphonary (one of the six "Lodi Choir Books"), in Latin

Commissioned for Lodi Cathedral by Bishop Carlo Pallavicino and illuminated by Francesco Bettini and others

Purchased, before 1921

Priest and Acolyte before an Altar, from a Book of Hours, Rome use, in Latin and French

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1907

Angels Displaying the Eucharist in a Tabernacle, from a Book of Hours, Windesheim use, in Latin

Illuminated by the Master of the Morgan Infancy Cycle

Purchased with the assistance of the Fellows, 1953

Synagoga (Judaism) and Ecclesia (Church) Flank the Last Supper

From a Book of Hours, Paris use, in Latin and French
Illuminated by the Master of Jacques de Luxembourg

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Landon K. Thorne, Jr., 1979

Christ Instituting the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and Manna Feeding the Israelites, from a Speculum humanae salvationis, in Latin and Dutch

Illuminated by a Master of the Gold Scrolls

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Priest Elevating the Host, detail from the "Tiptoft Missal," Sarum use, in Latin

Probably made for John Fitz-Roger Clavering and his wife, Hawse Tiptoft

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1902

Christ Awaiting Crucifixion, from the "Lallemant Missal," Tours use, in Latin

Illuminated for Guillaume Lallemant, canon and archdeacon of Tours, by Jean Poyer

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1912

Priest Bowing before an Altar, from the "Stefaneschi Missal," in Latin

Illuminated possibly for Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi by the Master of the St. George Codex

Purchased, 1927

Pope Leo Prepares for Mass, from "Preparatio ad missam of Pope Leo X," in Latin

Illuminated for Pope Leo X by Attavante degli Attavanti

Gift of the Heineman Foundation, 1977

Angels Collecting Christ's Blood in Chalices, from a Missal, Augustinian use, in Latin

Illuminated by Fiorenzo di Lorenzo

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1911

Judas Revealed as Christ's Betrayer, from a Leaf from a Gradual, in Latin

Illuminated for the monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli by Silvestro dei Gherarducci

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1909

Elevation of the Eucharist, from the "Della Rovere Missal," Rome use, in Latin

Illuminated by the Master of the della Rovere Missals (Jacopo Ravaldi?) for Cardinal Domenico della Rovere

Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan, 1907