Museum Exhibition
Creatures of Myth and Imagination: Europe and the Americas
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
May 18, 2026 – October 18, 2026
Explore the enchanted realms of imaginary beings. Set in the evocative atmosphere of The Met Cloisters, Creatures of Myth and Imagination: Europe and the Americas sheds light on a selection of works created on either side of the Atlantic Ocean between 500 and 1500 CE.
Exhibition artworks
Representative work
Moche artist(s)
Stirrup-spout bottle with fox warrior
500–800 CE
Ceramic, slip
H. 11 3/4 × W. 6 1/2 × D. 6 in. (29.8 × 16.5 × 15.2 cm)
View artwork at the museumFeatured works
Mexica artist(s)
Tlaltecuhtli (earth deity)
1450-1521
Stone
H. 20 in. × W. 16 1/2 in. × D. 5 in. (50.8 × 41.9 × 12.7 cm) Weight: 130 lbs.
View at museum
German
Evangelist Saint Mark writing the Gospel with his symbol, the Lion, holding a scroll
11th century
Elephant ivory
5 1/2 × 4 1/4 × 5/16 in. (13.9 × 10.8 × 0.8 cm)
View at museum
French
Plaque with the Symbol of the Evangelist Mark
ca. 1100
Champlevé and cloisonné enamel on gilded copper
4 in. × 2 7/16 in. × 1/8 in. (10.1 × 6.2 × 0.3 cm)
View at museum
French
Plaque with the Symbol of the Evangelist Luke
ca. 1100
Champlevé and cloisonné enamel on gilded copper
4 in. × 2 7/16 in. × 1/8 in. (10.1 × 6.2 × 0.3 cm)
View at museum
French
Medallion
before 1227
Champlevé enamel on gilded copper
3 7/16 × 3/16 in. (8.7 × 0.5 cm)
View at museum
French
Head of a Crozier with Saint Michael Slaying the Dragon
1220–30
Gilded copper with champlevé enamel and glass paste
12 13/16 × 4 15/16 × 2 3/4 in. (32.5 × 12.5 × 7 cm)
View at museum30 documented works in this exhibition
View all 30 documented works