What does medievalism mean?
Medievalism is an interest in the culture, history, art, architecture, religion, and ideas of the Middle Ages. The term can describe academic study, especially in fields such as literature, art history, and architecture, but it is also used for modern revivals and nostalgic recreations of medieval styles. Victorian medievalism, for example, drew heavily on medieval architecture, ornament, and themes in reaction to industrialization and contemporary society. The word is therefore broader than simply an interest in the historical period: it can imply admiration, romanticization, imitation, or a belief that medieval forms and values are preferable. When used critically, medievalism often suggests that the past is being reshaped to meet present needs, making it a useful term for examining how later societies imagine and use the Middle Ages.
nounMedievalism is the study, appreciation, or imitation of the culture, history, art, and ideas of the Middle Ages. It can refer to an academic interest in the period or to a nostalgic or revivalist attempt to reproduce medieval styles and values.
- The scholarly study or cultural appreciation of the Middle Ages.
- A nostalgic or imitative interest in medieval art, architecture, customs, or ideals, especially as expressed in later periods.
"The exhibition explores how European artists used medievalism to express ideas of spirituality, craftsmanship, and political order."
"Her research in medievalism examines how nineteenth-century writers reshaped the image of the Middle Ages."
"The building's heavy stonework and pointed arches reflect a modern taste for medievalism rather than medieval construction."
Medievalism looks backward to the Middle Ages, but it often says more about the present than about the period it admires.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does medievalism come from?
Medievalism was formed in the 19th century from medieval, which combines the Latin mediaevum, meaning middle, with aevum, meaning age, and the suffix -ism. Its development reflects the period's widespread interest in the Middle Ages, including antiquarian study and artistic revival. Related forms include medievalist, denoting a scholar or admirer, and medievalize, meaning to make medieval in style or character.
Related word forms
How medievalism is actually used
In art, architecture, literature, and cultural history, the term often suggests modern revivals or romanticized versions of the Middle Ages. In an academic context, it may be used neutrally for the study of medieval history and culture; in general discussion, it can carry a connotation of nostalgia or deliberate imitation.