Throughout
history illustrated manuscripts have been made to illustrate societies opinions
on a variety of subjects; one which is death. In particular, my topic, the
Black Death is one of the best examples of how art illustrates the feelings of
a society.
Before we get into the manuscripts specifically, let us first understand what the Black Death was and how it impacted society.
The
Black Death was a period of two years in which a disease known as the bubonic
plague struck medieval Europe. Between 1347 and 1351 an estimated 1.5 million
people were killed from this plague which was spread by fleas carried by rats.[1] Unsanitary conditions in
the towns and cities across Europe allowed this disease to spread rapidly
without much resistance; the disease itself was terrifying. Visible symptoms of
the plague were noticed by Boccaccio of Florence, Italy who stated that “The
first signs of the plague were lumps in the groin or armpits. After this, livid
black spots appeared on the arms and this and other parts of the body. Few
recovered. Almost all died within three days usually without any fever.”[2]
Below is an crudely animated image of how the Black Plague spread across Europe.
 |
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Blackdeath2.gif |
Society
during the Black Death not only had to fear the plague but the effects from it
as well. Widespread death from the plague caused other problems such as
starvation and inflation. Social unrest from these issues had a profound blow
to the system of life, mainly the Feudal System. No other time in history is the blow to society so well exhibited as it is with the illustrated manuscripts that came after the plague.
"Artists' emphasis on the democratic nature of death, which steals away both rich and poor, nobleman and peasant, pagan and priest, opened the door wide to a general questioning of the culture on which the Medieval synthesis had rested, such as the divine right of kings and the class constructs which tied serfs to the land. Offering little in the way of help—much less explanation or solace—these postulates began to crumble."[3]
Throughout this semester and my research project, I will share my
findings and try to provide my readers with interesting and factual information
alongside images in an attempt to answer my research question – How did
illustrated manuscripts depict the attitudes of society both before and after
the Black Death?
1[] "1320: Section 6: The Black Death." Welcome to Utah State University." http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320Hist&Civ/chapters/06PLAGUE.htm (accessed September 15, 2013).
[2] "The Black Death of 1348 to 1350." History Learning Site". http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/black_death_of_1348_to_1350.htm (accessed September 15, 2013).
[2] "The Black Death of 1348 to 1350." History Learning Site". http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/black_death_of_1348_to_1350.htm (accessed September 15, 2013).
[3]"1320: Section 6: The Black Death." Welcome to Utah State University."
Good start. Put a question mark at the end of your research question. Great the you cite your sources. Continue to do so. Looking forward to seeing how your blog develops.
ReplyDeleteI like that you will be looking at manuscripts before and after the Black Death. Though I am sure you will, but I would like to see you explore what the feelings were during as well. I think it is important to not only look at the Black Death but what information the church was putting out during this time as well since they influenced society so fully. I like that you limited yourself in art medium, I myself am only looking at prints that are product of woodcuts, though there are a few woodcuts that were created to for manuscripts. I am finding that the artist is just as vital as audience, so I would make sure to keep those two factors in mind the whole adventure.
ReplyDeletePS Love the map that moves.
I am very interested to see what you find with your research. This was a very devastating disease that no one was prepared to deal with. Actually, I do not know if anyone would be prepared to deal with this in today's society if it were to resurface. Art was a good form of communication back then when a higher percentage of the population that was illiterate. Everyone that had sight was able to communicate through portraits. I am anxious to what more you are able to find out.
ReplyDelete