The creator of what are considered by many to be the earliest graphic novels, R. O. Blechman, will discuss his first work, The Juggler of Our Lady. This cartoon retelling of the medieval legend was first published in 1953 and later adapted into an award-winning short animated film. Blechman’s innovative style has become iconic over his career, which has spanned six decades. The American illustrator was the focus of a 2003 MoMA retrospective exhibition, given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Cartoonists Society in 2011, and inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2012. A book of his essays, An Illustrator’s Word, will be published next year.

Juggling the Middle Ages

Featuring more than 100 objects, Juggling the Middle Ages explores the influence of the medieval world by focusing on a single story with a long-lasting impact—Le Jongleur de Notre Dame or Our Lady’s Tumbler. The exhibit follows the tale from its rediscovery by scholars in the 1870s to its modern interpretations in children’s books, offering viewers a look at a vast range of objects, including stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, household objects, and vintage theater posters.