Index of Medieval Art

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The Index of Medieval Art (IMA) – formerly known as the Index of Christian Art – is an archive of medieval art, which uses text and image to describe and present iconographic subjects. The Index records works of art produced throughout the “Long Middle Ages,” from early apostolic times to the early modern era.

Although the collection’s emphasis has been on the art of western Europe and Byzantium, significant holdings from Coptic Egypt, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Syria, Armenia, and the Near East have recently been added. The term “Christian” has always been broadly construed, so the Index includes many other subjects such as mythological scenes, personifications, symbolic animals, and other secular imagery. Also included are works from multiple medieval faith traditions.