Abstract

Particularly interesting aspect of iconography in European art beginning from antiquity to modern times is depiction of death. The subject of this paper will mainly be focused on iconographic themes associated with it, like representations of mortality in antiquity including architectural forms such as mausoleums and iconographic programs sculpted on the Roman sarcophagi (I BC–IV AD). There will be also presented works of art in which the significance of death was presented in a religious context, such as iconographic programs from decorative portals from the Romanesque period as well as tombstone monuments in transi (cadaver) type which spread all over the Europe in the art of late Middle Ages (late 14th–16th c.). Works of art will be discussed in relation to their function and also in reference to the iconographic program contained therein. Furthermore, in the paper will be shown the socio-cultural aspect, which is fundamental for depicting death in discussed periods, with particular emphasis on maxims: Memento Mori and Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas. In the reflection on the depiction of passing away beginning from the Romanesque period the particular emphasis will be placed on the issue of the prevalence of the Last Judgment and Purgatory representations. The paper will also analyze the question of whether the presented image of the passing away in past periods may have or even has a reference to modern times.

Keywords: death, Last Judgment, Purgatory, transi tombs, passing away

Vita brevis breviter in brevi finietur, mors venit velociter quae neminem veretur, omnia mors perimit et nulli miseretur. Et nulli miseretur.