Death Art: The Triumph of Death [from exhibit "Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection"]

Death Struggle

By Richard Muller [Czech]
1913/ Etching on ivory laid paper   

Death Art entered the mainstream art in the late Medieval Period. This period was characterized by recurring famine, the Hundred Years War between France and England [1337—1453]; and the Black Death;  which together decimated a large proportion of the population of West Europe. The Black Death alone killed about a third of population.  The threat of death loomed large in  people’s daily lives and under these conditions, the theme of death found it’s way in literature and arts in various forms..
- Danse Macabre
- The Triumph of Death
- Death and the Maiden
And artistic representation of all of these art genres can be seen at the Richard Harris Collection.
In this post, are some Death Art on the "Triumph of Death" theme. A Skeleton representing Death, seems to be in a fierce battle with the living.. Who wins is anyone's guess...

Death on Horseback Holding a Trumpet and A Flag

By– Stefano della Bella [Italian, 1610 -1664]

1648 / etching

The Doctor

by Ivo Saliger [Austrian 1894- 1987]

1921 / Color etching on brown paper

 Death Taking the Young Mother

By Thomas Rowlandson [British 1756-1827]
1814

Death and the Woman

by Kathe Kollwitz [German 1867-1945]

1910 / Lithograph

Morbid Curiosity: Richard Harris Collection

Location: Sidney Yates Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center..

January 28 – July 8, 2012
Curator: Lucas Cowan
Co-Curator: Debra Purden
Director of Exhibitions: Dr. Elizabeth Lee Kelly..
Presented by Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture