Museum Exhibition
Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
October 17, 2025 – March 29, 2026
Discover a world of powerful desires and fluid identities in the art of the Middle Ages. Set in the stunning atmosphere of The Met Cloisters.
Exhibition artworks
Representative work
French
Box with Romance Scenes
ca. 1310–30
Elephant ivory
4 5/16 × 9 15/16 × 6 1/4 in., 3.2 lb. (10.9 × 25.3 × 15.9 cm, 1454g) Other (Top): 5 7/8 × 9 7/8 × 5/16 in. (15 × 25.1 × 0.8 cm)
View artwork at the museumFeatured works
Michele Giambono (Michele Giovanni Bono)
The Man of Sorrows
ca. 1430
Tempera and gold on wood
Overall, with engaged frame, 21 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (54.9 x 38.7 cm); painted surface 18 1/2 x 12 1/4 in. (47 x 31.1 cm)
View at museumBenedikt Dreyer
Meeting of Saints Joachim and Anne at the Golden Gate
ca. 1515–20
Oak with polychromy and gilding
Overall: 23 x 19 1/4 x 4 7/8 in. (58.4 x 48.9 x 12.4 cm)
View at museumFrench or Italian
Comb
15th or 16th century
Elephant ivory, paint and gilding
Overall: 3 7/16 x 5 1/16 x 3/16 in. (8.8 x 12.9 x 0.4 cm)
View at museumMaster Heinrich of Constance
The Visitation
ca. 1310–20
Walnut, paint, gilding, rock-crystal cabochons inset in gilt-silver mounts
23 1/4 × 11 7/8 × 7 1/4 in. (59.1 × 30.2 × 18.4 cm)
View at museumItalian, Venice, Murano
Goblet
ca. 1475–1500 (modern foot)
Glass, enameled and gilded
Overall (confirmed): H. 6 7/8 x W. 3 7/16 in. (17.5 x 8.7 cm); Diameter of cup: 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
View at museumFrench
Virgin of the Annunciation
ca. 1300–1310
Limestone, traces of paint
16 11/16 × 11 5/8 × 7 3/8 in., 34 lb. (42.4 × 29.6 × 18.8 cm, 15.4 kg)
View at museum39 documented works in this exhibition
View all 39 documented works