The Met Features Medieval Jerusalem as Destination of Choice, Symbol of Tolerance

Exhibit review: Jerusalem 1000–1400: Every People Under Heaven

"View of Jerusalem" From Journey to the Holy Land (La peregrination en Terre Sainte). Hand-colored engraving written by Bernhard von Breydenbach (1440?–1497?), translated by Nicolas Le Huen (active 15th century), illustrated by Erhard Reuwich (ca. 1455–ca. 1490), and published by Topie, Lyon 1488, Lyon. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1928.

NEW YORK—If asked to pick the most culturally diverse and tolerant city in the world today, you might think of Amsterdam, London, Paris, São Paulo, or New York City. But in medieval times, Jerusalem would have readily come to mind.

Beginning at around the year 1000, thousands of people from as far as Iceland and India ventured toward Jerusalem to trade and make a profit and to receive artistic or divine inspiration. The phenomenon of “Jerusalem fever,” as it was described at the time, gripped and tugged merchants, artisans, scholars, and pilgrims of various faiths to a city that is just about the size of Midtown Manhattan.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art attempts to capture this medieval cosmopolitan fever with Jerusalem 1000–1400: Every People Under Heaven. The exhibition opened on Sept. 26 and is running until Jan. 8, 2017, along with a variety of educational programs, tours, live concerts, and a series of talks.

"The Archangel Israfil," detail, from "The Wonders of Creation and Oddities of Existence" ('Aja'ib al-Makhluqat), 1375–1425, Egypt or Syria. Opaque watercolor and ink on paper, 15 3/8 inches by 9 5/8 inches, British Museum Collection. The Trustees of the British Museum