Images

A model of the medieval Benedictine monastery of Cluny Abbey in France, founded in the early 10th century CE.

A stained glass window from Saint-Corentin Cathedral, Quimper, France, showing two kneeling Franciscan monks.

A 13th century CE illuminated manuscript showing a monk tasting wine as he draws off a jug from a barrel. ('Li Livres dou Santé', British Library, London)

A painting of four monks by Claudio Rinaldi (1852-1909 CE). (Dorotheum, Munich)

Detail of a limestone statue of a Sumerian female in a gesture of prayer. The eye sockets were filled in with white shell set in bitumen. She wears a Sumerian garment with a bare right shoulder. Front view. From the Temple of Sin, Khafajah...

Limestone head of a statue of a Sumerian male; the rest of the body is lost. The eye sockets are empty but might well have been filled in with a white shell or a precious stone set in bitumen. Me holding the head. Back view. From the Single-Shrine...

Limestone head of a statue of a Sumerian male; the rest of the body is lost. The eye sockets are empty but might well have been filled in with a white shell or a precious stone set in bitumen. Side view, left. From the Single-Shrine at the...

Limestone head of a statue of a Sumerian male; the rest of the body is lost. The eye sockets are empty but might well have been filled in with a white shell or a precious stone set in bitumen. Side view, right. From the Single-Shrine at the...

Limestone head of a statue of a Sumerian male; the rest of the body is lost. The eye sockets are empty but might well have been filled in with a white shell or a precious stone set in bitumen. Front view. From the Single-Shrine at the Temple...

Limestone statue of a Sumerian female in a gesture of prayer. The head is lost. She wears the classical Sumerian flounced garment with a bare right shoulder. The feet stand on a semi-rectangular base with a back-pillar. Back view. From the...