THE BLACK DEATH “How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, breakfast with their kinfolk and the same night supped with their ancestors in the next world! The condition of the people was pitiable to behold.” - Giovanni Boccaccio
THE BLACK DEATH
REACTIONS “Charity was dead” “Dementia of despair” Wrath of God Debauchery, materialism, corruption FLAGELLANTS Jews as scapegoats
EFFECT ON ART preoccupation with death Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) THE BLACK DEATH
EFFECT ON ART preoccupation with death tomb carvings & sculpture
EFFECT ON ART preoccupation with death paintings Hieronymous Bosch, Paradise and Hell Hieronymous Bosch, The Last Judgment Jan Van Eyck, The Last Judgement THE BLACK DEATH
EFFECT ON ART preoccupation with death church frescoes Jesuits’ College, Lucerne Switzerland THE BLACK DEATH Kermaria Church, France Trinity Church, Slovenia
EFFECT ON ART preoccupation with death literature THE BLACK DEATH
EFFECT ON ART themes of debauchery & corruption Boccaccio’s Decameron (depicted by Botticelli) THE BLACK DEATH
EFFECT ON THOUGHT William of Ockham God of will no logical divine order separation of reason and faith