About


Rebuilding the Temple (detail), in Marquette Bible, about 1270
 
The largest archive of medieval art in the world, the Index of Medieval Art (formerly the Index of Christian Art) was founded by Professor Charles Rufus Morey in 1917 and is based at Princeton University. The Index documents primarily medieval art from early apostolic times to approximately 1400 AD and contains over 26,000 terms that deal predominantly with Christian iconography as well as Jewish, Islamic, and nonecclesiastical subjects. The Index consists of three components: subject files, photographic files, and a database.

For a complete history, visit the official website of the Index of Medieval Art.

Access


The Getty Research Institute Library provides online access to the Index's subscription database, which includes images. The Index is available through the library's public computers.

Saint Hedwig and the New Convent (detail) in Life of the Blessed Hedwig, 1353
 
In addition, the library is one of only four institutions in the world to hold a repository copy of the Index. It is conveniently located adjacent to the Medieval section of the Photo Archive on the L3 level of the library. The Photo Archive houses approximately 176,000 photographs representing medieval architecture, sculpture, panel painting, illuminated manuscripts, and minor arts. A copy of the Index of Jewish Art is also shelved nearby. These resources are available to Getty staff, scholars, and registered Readers. The repository copy of the Index is accessible only during the Research Library's regular hours.

First-time users of the Index of Medieval Art and the Photo Archive should contact Reference to arrange for an orientation.

Learn more about library access.

Learn more about the Photo Archive.