Death and Resurrection in Art

A Guide to Imagery #4

by Enrico De Pascale

As one of the unavoidable realities of human existence, death is also one of the oldest and most common themes in the history of art. From Egyptian tomb paintings and battle scenes on Greek vases by anonymous artists, to depictions of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus by the great Renaissance masters, to contemporary encounters with these subjects by such artists as Damien Hirst and Andres Serrano, the contents of this book highlight three thousand years of the iconography of death and resurrection. While focusing on the Western artistic tradition, the book also includes many artworks from Asia, Africa, and Oceania. De Pascale explores depictions of these two subjects thematically, through chapters on violent death, ceremonial tributes to the departed, allegorical depictions of death, and the journey to the afterlife. The book concludes with an examination of symbolic representations of the victory of life over death.

Genres: Art, Art History, Nonfiction, Religion

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm no art scholar, and this book is sort of Symbolism 101 for those of us who like and appreciate art, but who miss all the hidden meanings in it. Or who look at some modern art masterpiece, look at the people around nodding and murmuring "yes, yes, yes!" and think "WTF am I missing in this agglomeration of nonsense that is supposed to depict Man's Search for Meaning in Post-Modern Industrial Society?"

But I digress. I'm a lifelong death obsessive, and this book delivers on its titled promise. I'd have liked to know more about the background of some of the art pieces, or of the painters, but the initial chapters helpfully point one out to further reading. It's meant to be a guidebook, not thorough in-depth analysis. The pages are high-gloss, and the colors of the artwork stand out excellently. I counted about thirty paintings that I would dearly love to have framed on my walls, and I think I have a crush on Caravaggio now.

[Matthew Pridham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This skews just a bit too much towards Christian mythology, but it’s informative and showcases some excellent art.

[The Devil of Loudun · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*