Does this medieval fresco show a hallucinogenic mushroom in the Garden of Eden?
Atlas Obsura: Elina Gertsman, the Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor in Catholic Studies II and professor of art history, weighed in on a controversy over what’s depicted in an 800-year-old image, noting that medieval artists may have been experimenting with new ways to stylize trees. There are countless examples of medieval images where artists did this, including lions that appear to be wearing glasses, or elephants with mitten-like feet.