“Memento Mori” or “The Triumph of Dearh” VII
A traditional theme: Death targets the Aristocracy, Death ignores the beggars invoking her.
In the center and right half of Buffalmacco’s Triumph of Death, a monstrous, female Death flies through the sky, mowing down peasants, artisans, burghers, monks, and church officials. None of these types is singled out for any special importance as they lie in a confused heap. Death is truly a leveler here. While they retain some visual interest, especially in the rising souls carried off by demons or angels, the main dramatic and compositional interest in this section of the fresco lies with the giant figure of Death above and the unsuspecting nobles at right toward whom she flies. Their obliviousness to Death makes their imminent destruction all the more compelling visually. Ten beautiful, young nobles sporting falcons, lapdogs, and musical instruments gather in this love garden for an afternoon of conversation, flirting, and musical entertainment. Truly, they spend their time in a most pleasant manner and are unaware of the impending destiny which is announced by the two Genii hovering over them:
Ischerno di savere e di ricchezza,
Di nobilitate ancora e di prodezza,
Vale niente ai colpi di costei ....
Knowledge and wealth
Nobility and valour
Means nothing to the ravages of death...
Source: Ingrid Valser, “The Theme of Death in Italian Art: The Triumph of Death”
Mural Fresco by Buonamico Buffalmacco
1350 ca
Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, Camoposanto Munumantale
“Memento Mori” or “The Triumph of Dearh” VII
A traditional theme: Death targets the Aristocracy, Death ignores the beggars invoking her.
In the center and right half of Buffalmacco’s Triumph of Death, a monstrous, female Death flies through the sky, mowing down peasants, artisans, burghers, monks, and church officials. None of these types is singled out for any special importance as they lie in a confused heap. Death is truly a leveler here. While they retain some visual interest, especially in the rising souls carried off by demons or angels, the main dramatic and compositional interest in this section of the fresco lies with the giant figure of Death above and the unsuspecting nobles at right toward whom she flies. Their obliviousness to Death makes their imminent destruction all the more compelling visually. Ten beautiful, young nobles sporting falcons, lapdogs, and musical instruments gather in this love garden for an afternoon of conversation, flirting, and musical entertainment. Truly, they spend their time in a most pleasant manner and are unaware of the impending destiny which is announced by the two Genii hovering over them:
Ischerno di savere e di ricchezza,
Di nobilitate ancora e di prodezza,
Vale niente ai colpi di costei ....
Knowledge and wealth
Nobility and valour
Means nothing to the ravages of death...
Source: Ingrid Valser, “The Theme of Death in Italian Art: The Triumph of Death”
Mural Fresco by Buonamico Buffalmacco
1350 ca
Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, Camoposanto Munumantale