The Black Death was both a confusing and terrifying time during the years of 1347 through 1350. Waves of pestilence consumed Europe and death seemed inevitable for those in its path. Although the Renaissance is generally regarded for its remarkable accomplishments and intellectual advancements; the Black Death cannot be shoved aside. Such disaster caused for a breakdown in society, and a mass collection of city ordinances in order to try and save communities from disease. The onset of plague also caused mass panic which lead to accounts of violence and the desertion of entire areas.
The oil painting by Peter Bruegel named the Triumph of
Death, painted in 1562 portrays the destruction caused by the pestilence. In
the picture, the artist presents mass death, chaos, and a collapse in societal
workings. In the background the church
is represented which can assume that people of this time period believed the
destruction to be caused or punishable by god.
Even further in the background lies a barren wasteland in which
everything has been destroyed. This
provides a look at the decimation of an entire area once it was consumed by
pestilence.
Love this image. For others in the class, notice the date. 1560s. Isn't it interesting that many of these images are not produced during the Black Death, or shortly afterward. I would say that is a myth associated with black death era. Not sure about the Black Death causing mass panic though. A historian will always say, what is the evidence for that argument? :))
ReplyDeleteThis image is very vivid and brings to mind many thoughts on the black death. One for instance, why are the clergy depicted together outside of what appears to be a church. They are all dressed in white and appear to be clean. This part of the painting just makes me wonder as a viewer if there is a purpose for the artists placement of the clergy, based off of his thoughts or even experiences with members of clergy.
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