Medieval Memento Mori Art
Gift of leonard c.
Medieval memento mori art. Memento mori or translated in english remember you must die the point of this reminder isn t to be morbid or promote fear but to inspire motivate and clarify. A sub genre of memento mori art is danse macabre or dance of death this genre of art has its origins in late medieval times but became popular during the renaissance. A latin phrase translating to remember that you.
The late medieval book was the site of some of the most inventive memento mori images ever created writes elizabeth morrison senior curator of manuscripts at the j. In fact skull art which certainly has its origins in memento mori continues to be a popular aesthetic niche skulls skeletons and skulls with wings have all been employed as powerful reminders that we will all leave this earth at some point. For example here are demons tempting the sinner in his last moments and distracting the ill man from the counsel of.
Several articles on this topic at the matheson trust library. John s co cathedral valletta malta an article on memento mori and ars moriendi appearing in the journal treasures of malta december 2004. Although medieval life was shorter and filled with more unexpected endings memento mori really took off during the renaissance.
Paul getty museum in the exhibition catalogue. Since memento mori and related images were created to encourage people to think about death in terms of christian salvation there are plenty of demons to be found in medieval images of death particularly in deathbed scenes. Dance of death paintings typically portray a skeleton signifying death or the grim reaper walking dancing or playing music.
In medieval times the theory and practice of reflecting on the transient nature of earthly life was known as memento mori. Memento mori through the ages. Memento mori renaissance art medieval art medieval drawings hans baldung grien la danse macabre macabre art harvard art museum dance of death.
Artists have long been fascinated by this stoic philosophy using the somber teachings as a springboard for their art. Much like the multi headed ivory prayer beads that when turned display a grisly sight some manuscript illustrations render. The idea has been central to art philosophy literature architecture and more throughout history.
Memento mori and vanitas elements in the funerary art at st. Hans sebald beham german 1500 1550 engraving. The lady of death masquerading as a fool.
And this is a reality that unites us all however the way one acknowledges this fact is unique to the individual. A modern example of a memento mori and the power of symbolism.
