Beyond Wonderland

Courtesy of http://www.dodedans.com/Eindex.htm

The Dance of Death epitomises the ubiquitous obsession and fascination of the afterlife during the medieval ages. Its omnipresence and ruthlessness grasped the minds of all regardless of their status, age or condition. Even the bravest and most awed could not escape its morbid cavort and in fact followed its lead closest of all. As depicted above, medieval Knights, more than anyone, danced with death.

Originally created in 1463 it was replaced with another version in 1701. It was a tremendous painting which stood at the height of a man and stretched across 30 metres. It depicts a long link of 24 different citizens coming from all different classes and ages with Death dancing around them comically, trying to get apprehensive onlookers to join in the parade. This mocking and somewhat light-hearted approach to mortality can be perceived in numerous ways. Death could be insinuating its unquestionable grasp on the fragility of human life in a humorous and almost flippant fashion whilst simultaneously attempting to lure human souls in to its grip in a somewhat ghoulishly gluttonous way. On the other hand, one could suggest that Death is appeasing the nightmarish idea of the afterlife and seeking to lessen the fears of man by approaching him in an uncharacteristically jovial manner.

The painting’s message and influence spread throughout Europe for generations and encapsulates the fascination which surrounded death during the medieval epoch. With disease rampant and life expectancy low it is of no surprise that people of the time held such fear. The Dance of Death humbly insinuates that, regardless of one’s status, one is never immortal and must ultimately face the certainty of passing on from this life. It is this sobering concept that ensured the medieval Knight, such as the one kneeling unsteadily upon the shield, carried such determination with him in defying the odds and performed a duty which stood him frequently in front of possible perishment.

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War and Death

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