Special Exhibition Review: The Medieval Bookshelf

I could tell that Stan Parchin, Senior Correspondent for Museums and Special Exhibitions, enjoyed himself while writing a background piece for The Medieval Bookshelf: From Romance to Astronomy (on view through April 9, 2006 at the Getty Center, Los Angeles). What was the big enjoyment clue he left me? It wasn't strictly the topic, though Stan does tend to salivate over illuminated Medieval manuscripts like some people approach a two-inch thick, medium-rare Porterhouse. And it wasn't exactly that he got to write about an obscure Roman philosopher, the Byzantine Empire, a Holy Roman emperor and a Pope in the same article - although I'm convinced this opportunity had its charms.

No, the clue Stan left was in regard to Philosophy going about the very serious business of presenting the Seven Liberal Arts to Boethius, as painted by the Coëtivy Master. In the detail seen here, you'll note that Astronomy has got both sun and moon in close proximity over her head and is not paying attention to the whole "presentation" ceremony. To quote Stan: "Astronomy, obviously distracted, observes the celestial phenomenon as it occurs above her head." Knowing Mr. Parchin and his deadpan humor, I roared when I read that. And then imagined the next panel, wherein the Coëtivy Master might have depicted Philosophy turning her head and scowling ... with a cartoon balloon coming out her mouth saying "A-hem! Astronomy? Was there something you wanted to share with the rest of the Liberal Arts?"