The Feedback toward the Spread of COVID-19
March 23rd, 2020
Artists concretize their ideas by art works in any kind of forms and their thought might be influenced by the surrounding. In other words, what happened in the society that a painter or a sculptor lives in would possibly be expressed or condensed in their worksï¼›therefore, we are able to explore the attitude of the creators toward the historical events at their ages. And this concept of the connection between art works and the social background of artists can be adopted even in our modern society.
Date back to the 14th century, Europe was devastated by the notorious Black Death and the death toll peaked up to about 75 million.The bacterium called Yersinia Pestis are the killers to blame. Because one of the symptoms this bacteria caused would lead to the development of bubo, people infected by the plague would develop a large amount of bubo on the skin. As you know, this epidemic widely spread and almost 1/3 (some say is about 1/2of Europeans fell as the victims of it. The patients of the plague wandered on the street just like the end of the world. In the bottom, it is an image of a victim of bubonic plague and the view makes me associate with the zombies.( It’s a little bit gross. Please put aside your food before seeing it.)
The scene in churches in mid-14th century- patients with the Butonic Plague
So, I believe that it is much easier to imagine the scene as the Hell. Due to the high morality of Plague and the scene of walking dead, the paintings during this period always demonstrate with skeletons and demons, which are the classic icons of death. The fears and panics of people towards this disease are showed clearly in these art works.
Triumph of Death Wall Painting, ca. 1448, Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo (Photo Rob Cook, 2012)
El Infierno, Detalle de Lucifer Taddeo di Bartolo (1396)
In 2020, the COVID19 pandemic makes the whole world fall in chaos. The cases and deaths of novel coronavirus pneumonia increase in every continent. In Taiwan, there are 195 cases and 2 deaths so far. However, during this critical period, some humans still travel abroad for sightseeing and testing their immune system. I have to say that it is really a “good” time to walk around famous tourist attractions in other countries, because there is “nobody” on the street now. What an amazing photo they will get! This unbelievable circumstance has been kept and interpreted by many illustrators in Taiwan. Compared to the creations in the period of Black Death, which reveal the fright toward decease, the meaning lying in the illustrations is the deep concern (of intelligence) with those who travel abroad during this time.
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Thus, around this vital moment, there are still plenty of medical professionals and civil servants fighting for our health. I could only express my gratitude by praying and staying in my place. Hope everything go well! Attach an illustration from @nothingweijun to appreciate those who devote themselves to the pandemic.
IG:@nothingwejun
Pictures:
1.The scene in churches in mid-14th century- patients with the Butonic Plague. Retrieved from https://culturacolectiva.com/history/ways-people-died-before-modern-medicine
2. Triumph of Death Wall Painting, ca. 1448, Palazzo Abatellis, Palermo (Photo Rob Cook, 2012). Retrieved from http://www.electrummagazine.com/2012/04/411/
3.El Infierno, Detalle de Lucifer Taddeo di Bartolo (1396). Retrieved from http://www.historyofpainters.com/blackdeath_art.htm.
4.IG:@shinybearnrd
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5.IG:@wholulu6707
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6. IG:@nothingwejun
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