In medieval Europe, a lavishly illustrated manuscript cataloging real and imagined beasts was one of the most popular books of the era. Called the bestiary, a sort of compendium of animals, it described various creatures
and assigned moral or religious meanings to each one.
Visually compelling, bestiaries rank as some of the most beautiful books ever created. But why were mythical animals included among those of the natural world, and what instructions did the text impart?
In this gallery, we explore the origins of the bestiary, its meaning, and include examples of the meticulous medieval art that was used to illustrate the entries. Click on to continue reading.