The Codex Manesse (Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 848) is one of the most important surviving medieval German manuscripts, as it contains the largest collection of Middle High German ballads and epigrammatic poetry. It is the sole extant source for many of the poems contained therein. It was created in the fourteenth century, and contains poems from 140 different poets. Its verses are illustrated by four anonymous artists, including the so-called Foundation Painter, who created 110 of the manuscript’s miniatures. The three paintings selected for this exhibit were chosen because they highlight the intersections of performing religious and secular identity. Many of the images contain iconography that is shared across depictions of religious celebration and courtly life, just as the same melodies were recycled for performance in church and in court. These three paintings depict the significance of dance and musical instruments in the ritualistic performance of courtly celebration, and the shared elements of those celebrations with religious ritual. These pieces lead us to recognize that the beauty of performance is integral to the expression of human identity.