The Triumph of Death

The Triumph of Death

the bubonic plague

A skeleton on horseback runs across a group of people while wielding a bow, the artwork is a depiction of death during the plague harvesting the lives of the people of Europe. a great deal of artwork during this time involved death and skeletons. Before doctors were widespread, priest, would both attempt to give aid to the sick as well as preform funeral rights, being around the infected so much the large majority of priest would end up dying and thus their ranks would be filled by those who were less than qualified.

Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Public Domain