The museum is 11,500 square feet, 6,500 of which are designed for expositions. It contains around 23,000 artifacts dating from the Gallo-Roman period up until the 16th century. There are currently 2,300 artifacts on display. The collections contain pieces from Europe, the
Byzantine Empire, and the
Islamic world of the Middle Ages.
From antiquity to the Early Middle Ages L'Île-de-la-Cité, France , 1st century, limestone (Île-de-France)|alt= Much of the ancient collections is placed in the
frigidarium. It contains artifacts dating as far back as the romanization of the city of
Parisii, such as the famous
Pillar of the Boatmen from the 1st century. This pillar was offered to the emperor
Tiberius by the boatmen of Paris. It contains inscriptions dedicated to the Roman god Jupiter as well as Celtic references, making it a significant example of the two cultures melding together on one artifact. It was discovered in the 18th century, under the choir of
Notre-Dame de Paris. Another ancient artifact that can be seen in the frigidarium is the Saint-Landry pillar. This pillar was sculpted in the second century on l'Île-de-la-Cité, and was discovered during the 19th century. There is more ancient art outside of the frigidarium, including two lion heads made from rock crystal. The lion heads were made between the 4th and the 5th centuries in the Roman Empire. Although their purpose is not known, the most likely hypothesis is that they were made to decorate an imperial throne.
Beyond France The Cluny also houses ancient
Coptic art. The Coptic fabrics gained notoriety outside of Egypt and certain pieces. The linen medallion of Jason and Medea is kept in the Cluny today. Between 1858 and 1860, twenty-six
Visigoth crowns were discovered (the
Treasure of Guarrazar). This was one of the most important discoveries related to the Visigothic Kingdom of Hispania. Of the original twenty-six crowns, there are 10 left today. The remaining crowns have been spread between two museums: the
Palacio Real de Madrid and the Cluny. Today, the Cluny holds three of these crowns, as well as crosses, pendants and hanging chains from the same discovery. These items were symbols of royal power and date back to the 7th century. They were most likely offered to the religious establishments in Toledo, the then capital of Spain.
Byzantine art Starting with the founding of the city in
Constantinople in 330, the emperor
Constantine began an era known as the Byzantine period. Between 843 and the fall of the Byzantine empire in 1204, the politics and art of this empire flourished. During this part of the Middle Ages in the West, the Byzantine art was a link to traditional literature, philosophy and Greco-Roman art. One example is the noteworthy ivory sculpture from Constantinople called Ariane. Ariane dates back to the first half of the 6th century and was most likely produced to adorn a piece of furniture. The statue includes Ariane, fauns and a few Angels of Love. It is one of the most iconic examples of Byzantine ivory work. Another famous piece of Byzantine ivory found in the Cluny is the plaque that depicts the crowning of
Otto II. His father
Otto I was crowned king of Rome on February 2, 962. This crowning marks the beginning of a renaissance in this part of Western Europe. Similar to Charlemagne, Otto I later took the title of Emperor Augustus. In 972, the emperor Otto II married the princess Théophano, who became the empress of Rome and can be seen in the ivory plaque as well. The Cluny also possesses a Byzantine coffer that contains mythological images and was produced around the year 1000. It was at this time that the Macedonian emperors ruled in Constantinople.
Romanesque art The term "
Roman" art first appeared in 1818. It was used by
Charles de Gerville to describe the art that comes after the Carolingian empire, but before Gothic art. Before the 19th century, most of the art from the Middle Ages was referred to as Gothic art. Romanesque art is defined by its use of light and color. The Romanesque artists are masters of volume and contrast. The paintings are relatively simple, focusing on the narrative. From the Romanesque period onward, reliquaries and other religious artifacts were no longer kept in crypts, and instead were displayed on the altars in churches. Visibility of faith was of the utmost importance at this time.
In France There are two central elements to Romanesque art: pedagogy and devotion. The evolution of faith is a common theme of these works. One example in the Cluny today is a capital that was made in Paris between 1030 and 1040. Referred to as the Majestic Christ capital, it was created for the
Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, the product of a collaboration between two workshops. The Cluny also houses a series of twelve capitals from Saint-Germain-des-Prés made in the beginning of the 11th century.
Beyond France The Cluny possesses Romanesque art from other countries as well, such as England, Italy and Spain. One of the more famous examples is the English crosier from the middle of the 12th century. This piece, made from ivory, displays multiple eagles and lions. Another famous work in ivory is the Italian 'Olifant' from the end of the 11th century. This piece was created from an elephant tusk and depicts the scene of Jesus' Ascension.
Work from Limoges The Cluny houses many pieces from the famous enamel and gold workshops of
Limoges. These workshops first started producing pieces in the second quarter of the 12th century. Limoges is located in the southwestern, central part of France; its gold and enameled masterpieces were collected throughout Europe by the end of the 12th century. The goldsmiths and other artists produced varying kinds of products including crosses, shrines, altarpieces, candlesticks and much more. They tended to be religious in nature. One of the reasons that pieces from these workshops were so successful is because the materials were affordable. As such, they were able to produce in mass. Not only were they producing a lot of products, but products of quality as well. The colors were vivid and the subject matter was depicted with eloquence. There are many pieces from Limoges at the Cluny today. Most notably are the two copper plaques from around the year 1190. One depicts the image of Saint Étienne and the other portrays the
Three Wisemen. These two plaques decorated the main altar at Grandmont Abbey. The adoration of the
Three Wisemen was a popular theme in pieces from Limoges and can be found in many of their works. A copper shrine from the year 1200 also depicts this theme.
Gothic art from France The 1120s in Paris saw many changes in art and education. One theme that became vitally important in both arenas was the importance of light. The teachings of
Plato and his student Platin emphasize the importance of light in the Creation story. This has parallels in changes happening architecturally in Paris at the same time. Supporting beams and arches are thinned to allow more space for windows to allow in more light. The
Sainte-Chapelle, with its tall and beautiful stained glass windows, displays this change in architecture. The upper cathedral has 15 window bays that encircle the entire room, each 50 feet tall, giving the illusion that the visitor is surrounded by light. Artists in 12th century Paris experimented artistically, exploring a new conception of space and the relationship between architecture, sculpture and stained glass, as seen in the Sainte-Chapelle. The Cluny houses many examples of this experimentation, such as 'double' capitals and statues that function as columns. There is a double capital that depicts two harpies facing each other that comes from the church at Saint-Denis, made between 1140 and 1145. Another artifact from Saint-Denis is the head from a statue-column of Queen Saba. This statue-column was produced in the 12th century. The Cluny also has one of the most vast collections of stained-glass in France. Their collection includes 230 panels, medallions and fragments from the 12th century to the 14th. Sainte-Chapelle has donated some panels from their iconic stained-glass windows to the Cluny as well, including one panel that depicts the scene of Sampson and the lion. If the 12th century was all about experimentation, the 13th and 14th centuries in Paris represent artistic maturity. It is at this time that the demand for non-religious art increases. There are two themes that dominate Parisian art in the 13th century: an interest in Antiquity and a new attention given to nature. One of the most famous examples at the Cluny is the statue of
Adam made from limestone. Produced around 1260 in Paris, the statue depicts a nude Adam, who is covering himself with the leaves from a small tree. The influence of Antiquity is evident in this work. Sainte-Chapelle not only donated pieces of stained-glass to the Cluny, but also six statues of apostles made from limestone. These statues were once located on the pillars of the upper chapel in Sainte-Chapelle, but can be seen in the Cluny today. These statues were made in the 1320s and originally came from Saint-Jacques aux Pèlerins. These statues mark the peak of Parisian art from the middle of the 13th century.
15th-century art In the 15th century, the opulence of urban elites encouraged artistic production as the demand for art increased. People began ordering artistic objects for everyday life, such as furniture, tapestries, ceramics, game pieces, etc. It is at this time that Paris became a capital of luxury. Here various artistic movements converged to create an 'international' gothic style. Artists began to sign their work, no longer desiring to remain anonymous. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the considerable rise in demand for tapestries. The most famous tapestries at the Cluny today are that of the Lady and the Unicorn (
La Dame à la licorne) series. There are six tapestries that make up this collection, each one representing a different sense. There are the five main senses (smell, hearing, taste, touch and sight) and it is the sixth tapestry that depicts the Lady with the Unicorn. The mysterious meaning of this sixth has produced multiple interpretations over the years. The most commonly embraced interpretation understands the Lady as representing It a sixth sense of morality or spirituality, as she puts aside her worldly wealth. File:Romanbathparis.jpg|Statue of a Roman priest, traditionally known as a portrait of Emperor Julian File:Le Pilier des Nautes 04.JPG|Element of the
Pillar of the Boatmen, first quarter of the 1st century AD Sainte Chapelle 01.JPG|
The Devil and a woman,
stained glass, before 1248, from the
Sainte-Chapelle CLUNY-Présentation Bourgogne 1.JPG|Marble sculpture of the
Presentation at the Temple, Burgundy, late 14th century Christ umbilicus MNMA Cl3307.jpg|Reliquary of the
Holy Umbilical Cord : Virgin and Child, gilded silver, France (Paris ?), 1407 Reliquary apostles angels MNMA Cl19966.jpg|Casket : Apostles and angels, gilded
champlevé Limoges enamel, 2nd quarter of the 13th century Paris -Musée national du Moyen-âge - Adam - vers 1260 - 001.jpg|Adam, stone, Paris, around 1260, from the interior of the south transept of
Notre-Dame de Paris CLUNY-Retable St Denis dt2.JPG|Altarpiece of the
Abbey of Saint-Denis, around 1250–1260, episodes of the life of
Saint Benedict Apôtre mélancolique.JPG|« Melancholic » Apostle, stone, around 1243–1248, from the interior decor of the
Sainte-Chapelle Ibn Butlan Receuil de Sante Rhenanie 2nd half 15th century.jpg|Illustrated
Tacuinum Sanitatis of
Ibn Butlan, Rhineland, 2nd half of 15th century Hôtel de Cluny - crowns.JPG|Visigothic votive crowns from the
Treasure of Guarrazar, Spain, 7th century Paris -Musée national du Moyen-âge - Groupe d'applique - 001.jpg|Ivory binding of Ariadne with Maenad, Satyr and Cupids,
Constantinople, 6th century Paris -Musée national du Moyen-âge - Crosseron - Vierge à l'Enfant encadrée de deux anges.jpg|Ivory
crosier, Virgin and child with two angels, around 1300 (Toulouse) Mon seul désir (La Dame à la licorne) - Musée de Cluny Paris.jpg|Tapestry of
The Lady and the Unicorn,
A mon seul désir, late 15th century. (Toulouse) L'Ouïe (La Dame à la licorne) - Musée de Cluny Paris.jpg|Tapestry of
The Lady and the Unicorn,
Hearing (Toulouse) Le Goût (La Dame à la licorne) - La Dame - Musée de Cluny Paris.jpg|Tapestry of
The Lady and the Unicorn,
Taste, detail Musée de Cluny Naissance de la sculpture gothique Abbatiale Saint-Denis Statue-colonne Reine de Saba 05012019.jpg|Head of the
Queen of Sheba statue-column, limestone, 1137–1140. From the Saint-Denis church. 0 La présentation au temple - J. de Liège ou A. Beauneveu - Musée de Cluny à Paris 2.jpg|The Presentation in the Temple, made during the second half of the 14th century, 0 Vierge à l'Enfant trônant - XIIIe siècle - Hôtel de Cluny à Paris 1.JPG|Madonna and Child, made around 1240–1250 in
Paris. 0 Pâmoison de la Vierge - Musée de Cluny à Paris 2.JPG|The Swoon of the Virgin, made during the late Middle Ages. 0 La Montée au calvaire - Musée de Cluny à Paris 2.JPG|The ascent to Calvary, made around 1400. ==Leadership==