Death and art
Subtitle: Europe 1200-1530
By: Eleanor Townsend.
Contributors: Victoria and Albert Museum.
Publisher: V&A Pub.; Distributed in North America by Harry N. Abrams
Published: 2009
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 96
ISBN-13: 9781851775835
Subjects: Victoria and Albert Museum; Death in art; Art, Medieval -- Europe -- Themes, motives; Art, Renaissance -- Themes, motives; Sepulchral monuments -- Europe; Christianity and art -- Europe -- History -- To 1500; Death -- Religious aspects -- Christianity; Death -- Social aspects -- Europe -- History -- To 1500
Other titles: Europe 1200-1530
Description: In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, where life expectancy was under forty and the Church taught that, after dying, the soul faced a terrifying and uncertain onward journey, death in Medieval and Renaissance Europe was a major preoccupation. This fascinating book sets out the beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife in a mainly Catholic Europe, and explores how these shaped attitudes to the visual arts. Townsend reveals how people of every background commissioned devotional works and wore protective jewellery; built tombs and went on pilgrimage - all to improve their soul's chances after death. Fully illustrated with images from a wide range of media including sculpture, jewellery and painting, this is a unique look at the art of death.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-93) and index.