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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Originally, the panel was probably located in the church of Saint Herbland in Rouen, Normandy.

C.76-1953