Capital

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The Cloisters' collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this 14th-century French capital, carved from white stone, exemplifies the refined artistry of medieval architecture. Measuring just 10 1/8 x 6 1/2 inches, it once crowned a column in a grand ecclesiastical structure, such as a cathedral or abbey, where such elements supported arches while serving as canvases for sculptors' skill. Crafted during the Late Gothic period, the capital reflects the era's mastery of stone masonry. French artisans quarried and polished white stone—likely limestone—for its workability and luminou...