The exhibition “Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages” at The Met Cloisters challenges the traditional narrative of the Middle Ages as a period defined by cisgender regulations, gender-normative binaries, and exclusively heteronormative sexualities. The artworks on display reveal a more complex and diverse understanding of gender and sexuality during the 13th to 15th centuries.
One of the notable pieces in the exhibition is the German textile “Two Riddles of the Queen of Sheba” from the late 15th century, which depicts the queen posing two riddles to King Solomon about distinguishing between boys and girls and real and artificial flowers. This artwork highlights the fluidity and performative nature of gender roles in the Middle Ages.
Genderplay was a common theme in Medieval religious art, as seen in illuminated manuscripts like the illustration of “Saint Wilgefortis on the Cross” from a 14th-century book of hours. Saint Wilgefortis, blessed with a beard after praying to escape marriage, challenges traditional gender norms. Similarly, the statue “Meeting of Saints Joachim and Anne at the Golden Gate” depicts two saints clothed in similar garments, blurring traditional gender distinctions.
Angels in Medieval art were often portrayed as androgynous, transcending human constructs of gender. The French 13th-century sculpture “Pair of Altar Angels” exemplifies this concept, depicting the figures as courtly lovers with features that defy traditional gender binaries.
The exhibition also explores the erotic and sensual aspects of Medieval art, such as a homoerotic sculpture of Saint Sebastian and a copper vessel titled “Aquamanile of Aristotle and Phyllis,” where Phyllis rides Aristotle like a horse. These artworks challenge traditional gender roles and explore themes of sexuality and power dynamics.
Overall, “Spectrum of Desire” offers a fresh perspective on queer and trans identities in the Middle Ages, debunking the misconception that LGBTQ+ identity is a modern invention. By queering the past and challenging contemporary categories, the exhibition invites viewers to reconsider historical representations of gender and sexuality in Medieval art.
The exhibition runs at The Met Cloisters until March 29, 2026, curated by Melanie Holcomb and Nancy Thebaut. It serves as a vital reminder of the diversity and fluidity of gender and sexuality throughout history, providing a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with their ancestors and find solidarity in the visual language of Medieval Catholicism.
