The art of the Middle Ages, which replaced antiquity in the 5th century, is characterized by colorful depictions of religious motifs. Medieval art reached its first flowering in the time of Emperor Charlemagne: The "Carolingian Renaissance" produced valuable illuminations such as the "Ada Manuscript" and the "Coronation Gospels". During the Romanesque period in the 10th to 12th centuries, many sacred buildings were decorated with impressive wall and ceiling paintings. The influence of Byzanthine icon painting is noticeable in the Gothic period until the 15th century, in addition to the religious representations increasingly secular motifs move into focus.

Signing the paintings was unusual at the time, as the painters saw themselves more as craftsmen than artists. Many works of art can therefore not be assigned to an author. It is only from the late Middle Ages that the names of some masters have survived, who are regarded as pioneers of modern styles: In the 14th century, Giotto di Bondone introduced perspective painting, thus ushering in the Italian Renaissance. Among his major works is the fresco cycle with depictions from the New Testament in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, from which Michelangelo was significantly influenced. Naturalistic representation characterizes the works of the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck, who is one of the best-known representatives of Early Netherlandish painting - his most famous creation is the Ghent Altar in St. Bavo's Cathedral.