Impact of Black Death on Art

Impact of Black Death on Art

Making its way from Asia to India, Russia, and Europe, the Black Death brought with it an undeniable sense of sadness and despair particularly in Europe where it is estimated almost half the population was wiped out. The plague was seen as God’s way to punish those who had sinned and due to this the possibility or rather the fear of hell became a reality for them while heaven seemed remote. As a result, realism was powerfully reinforced in art during this period. Accordingly, more themes of mortality and suffering are evident in art from this period (DesOrmeaux, 2007). The Black Death influenced the subject matter of art, leading to the emergence of themes related to mortality, suffering, and the transience of life.

During the period of the Black Death, artists made more drawings that embraced death by depicting sick people, skeletons, and corpses. The Dance of Death, also known as the Danse Macabre, is a motif in art that became particularly prominent during and after the Black Death in the 14th century (DesOrmeaux, 2007). It typically depicts a personification of death leading individuals from all walks of life, nobles, clergy, and peasants, among others, in a macabre dance, symbolizing the universality of death and the inevitability of mortality. The Dance of Death served as a powerful reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death (DesOrmeaux, 2007). In doing so, it encouraged contemplation of one’s mortality and the need for spiritual preparation, which could lead to a deeper appreciation for life and a greater focus on spiritual matters. In addition, memento mori artworks, which served as reminders of death and the fleeting nature of life, became more prevalent during this period.

Secondly, as mentioned above, the plague was seen as an act of God, and as such, its impact intensified religious fervor and devotion. During this time, many believed that saints were seated around God’s throne and could easily relay their cries to him. As such, saints became very popular and their paintings were a sign of hope. An example of such paintings of saints is that of Nicholas of Tolentino, Bernardino, Sebastian, and Roch of Siena, namely Four Saints with Donors, commissioned in 1480 (DesOrmeaux, 2007). Consequently, there was an increase in religious art, including depictions of saints, martyrs, and scenes from the Bible, as people sought solace and meaning in their faith. Further, this impact extended to building architecture, whereby there were ambitious church rebuilding projects in the post-plague period. Churches were adorned with religious art, including frescoes, altarpieces, and stained-glass windows, as expressions of faith and thanksgiving for surviving the plague.

Notably, some of the additional effects that the Black Death had included the loss of artists as they also made up a part of the people that died. There was disruption in artistic communities as the social and economic upheaval caused by the Black Death disrupted artistic communities and patronage networks. Many cities and regions experienced depopulation, which affected the demand for and production of art. Besides, with widespread death and economic instability, patrons had less disposable income to commission or purchase artwork. This reduced the opportunities for artists to create and showcase their work.

Further, the pervasive fear of death and the uncertainty surrounding the Black Death would have undoubtedly affected the mental well-being of artists (DesOrmeaux, 2007). Living in an era of widespread mortality and suffering, artists may have grappled with existential dread and anxiety about their own mortality, as well as that of their loved ones and patrons. The Black Death heightened awareness of mortality among artists, leading to a preoccupation with themes of death, decay, and the transient nature of life in their work. This newfound awareness may have influenced their artistic choices and subject matter, contributing to the emergence of memento mori imagery and the Dance of Death motif in art.

References

DesOrmeaux, A. L. (2007). The Black Death and its effect on fourteenth-and fifteenth-century art. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.

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What was the impact of the Black Death on the arts in fourteenth-century Europe?

Impact of Black Death on Art