15th- and 16th-Century Exhibits
15th- and 16th-Century Exhibits
No doubt many interesting clues to life in the 15th and 16th century Iceland still lie hidden in the earth. But articles of everyday life have been unearthed from ruins of buildings destroyed by volcanic eruptions. These provide insight into Icelandic life at that time.
Various objects are preserved which are connected to famous people of the time, who were influential at home and also travelled abroad. One such man is Bishop Guðbrandur Þorláksson, who had the first Icelandic Bible printed. Also from this period are embroidered altar frontals in laid-and-couched work, unparalleled in the world.
Still we have little evidence of the daily life of the ordinary Icelanders. The oldest paintings of Icelanders date from the 16th century; these bring that period alive. Few articles of clothing have been preserved: vestments of clergymen and bishops are almost the only extant garments.