The big plague epidemic of the middle of the 14th century, which decimated approximately a third of Europe's population, was not the only one. New outbreaks occurred, and for all the inhabitants of Europe, the fear of plague was part of everyday life. Consequently people grew a fascination for Death of which we have several testimonies. This obsession is rooted especially in the discrepancy between the splendour of life and the inevitable putrefaction accompanying death. On this contrast rests most of the occidental iconography of Death.

This site thus explores the theme of Death in art, starting from works in which it is found incarnated. You will find here some of the most significant pictures from the Middle-Ages to our century, as well as less important ones, that I chose by personal inclination. I want to thanks the following persons for their contribution: M. Axel Bolvig, M. Didier Jugan, Mme Mia Kalogjera and Martin Hagstrøm.