"Living and Dying in the Middle Ages: Images of The Triumph of the Death and their Meaning"

At its core, this thesis explores artistic representations of death in late medieval Italy via two seminal works of art: the Camposanto of Pisa and the fresco of the Triumph of Death in Palermo's Palazzo Sclafani. Both of these fourteenth-century works of art provide new perspectives on mortality while also reflecting the social and spiritual issues of their day. Examining the iconography, style, and cultural context of many artistic representations of death that were prevalent in late medieval Italy, this thesis explores the topic at length. An allegorical work that emphasizes the transience of life and the inevitability of death, The Triumph of Death in Pisa is attributed to Buonamico Buffalmacco. Considering one's own mortality and putting one's religion first are themes that run throughout the artwork. In contrast, the artist responsible for the more horrifying depiction of death in The Triumph of Death in Palermo remains a mystery. To emphasize that death doesn't care who it tramples, a skeletal figure of Death rides a skeletal horse over the living. Viewers are reminded of the fleeting nature of life and the need to spiritually preparing for death by this memento mori artwork. This thesis uses an analysis of these two works to probe the multi-layered representations of mortality in late-medieval Italian art. Research into these artworks goes beyond only investigating their religious importance, social critique, and personal reflection; it also investigates their likely meanings and purposes. This thesis contributes to our understanding of the complex network of ideas around art, death, and community in late medieval Italy.