Elaine Ruffolo Talk at Palazzo San Niccolo

Art and the Black Death: Disaster, Despair and Hope

As communities grappled with an invisible enemy, artists have often tried to make sense of the random destruction brought by plagues. Their interpretation of the horrors they witnessed has changed radically over time, but what has remained constant is the artists’ desire to capture the essence of an epidemic.  The 14th century plague significantly affected European culture, the idea of death, and religion. During this time, many artistic representations captured moments of terrible misfortune, sarcasm, and—sometimes—hope. This period often was characterized by death and its many, constantly evolving representations.  Join Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo for a fascinating look at art and society before and after  the plague. She will raise the question, did the disaster help fuel the Renaissance?

Price for members: 20 euro ( includes a drink) 

RSVP here and pay at the door or you can sign up via Cultural Salon at this link:

https://www.eventbrite.it/e/art-and-the-black-death-disaster-despair-and-hope-tickets-574719711127