Triumph of Death over the Laity
- Object:
- Place of origin:
- Date:
- Artist/Maker:
- Materials and Techniques:
Clear and coloured glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain
- Museum number:
- Gallery location:
Sacred Silver & Stained Glass, room 83, case BAY1
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Much of medieval art has a moralising message. This particularly applies to art after the social and economic devastation resulting from the plagues of the 14th century. This panel shows the Triumph of Death. The subject was intended to remind viewers that it was foolish to rely on the transitory things of human life.
The laity are singled out in this panel. Death at the top, represented by the skull and crossbones, overlooks falling emblems representing lay people: crowns, a knightâs helmet and a cap of a member of the professional class. Alongside these are a sword, a halberd, a mattock and a spade.
Originally, the panel was probably located in the church of Saint Herbland in Rouen, Normandy.
Physical description
Panel. Oval tracery-light with cusped head and pointed base. The Triumph of Death over the Laity. Skull and cross-bones with, below, emblems of the laity falling upside-down.
Place of Origin
Normandy, France (made)
Date
ca. 1520-1530 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Clear and coloured glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain
Dimensions
Height: 121.1 cm maximum, sight, Width: 67.6 cm maximum, sight, Height: 136.9 cm wood frame, Width: 83.2 cm wood frame, Depth: 2.4 cm wood frame, Weight: 10.0 kg wood frame
Object history note
Said to have come from Rouen Cathedral. Probably from the church of Saint-Herbland in Rouen, which was closed in 1791 and demolished in 1824.
Historical context note
Much of medieval art, especially after the devastation wrought by the succession of plagues in the second half of the 14th century, has a moralising message. This panel shows the Triumph of Death and was intended to remind the viewer of the folly of placing too much emphasis on the transitory things of human life.
The Laity are singled out in this panel. We see Death, represented by the skull and crossbones at the top, overlooking the falling emblems of the clerics of the church. There are crowns, a knight's helmet and a cap of a member of the professional class. Alongside these are a sword, a halberd, a mattock and a spade.
The panel was probably originally located in the Church of Saint Herbland in Rouen, Normandy. The Revolutionary authorities closed the church in 1791. The church was pulled down in 1824.
Descriptive line
Panel of clear and coloured glass with painted details and yellow (silver) stain. Depicting The Triumph of Death over the Laity. Made in France (Rouen), c.1520-30.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Williamson, Paul. Medieval and Renaissance Stained Glass in the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2003, pp.125, 155, no.97. ISBN 1851774041
Materials
Glass; Stained glass
Techniques
Painting; Silver staining
Subjects depicted
Crown; Death; Sword; Helmet; Coronet; Sceptre; Skull; Lance; Spade; Plume; Halberd; Mattock; Cap of maintenance
Categories
Religion; Christianity; Stained Glass; Death
Collection code
CER
