Plague in Europe (peste na Europa)

The plague that lasted from the 14th to the 17th century led to a high number of deaths in all social classes. It was followed by social consequences, including famine due to lack of manpower.

A peste dos séculos XIV a XVII provocou elevado número de mortos de todas as classes sociais. Seguiram-se sequelas sociais, nomeadamente períodos de fome por falta de mão-de-obra.

Master of 1492-'Giovanni Boccaccio and Florentines who have fled from the plague'-miniature-Bruges-ca 1485  in Giovanni Boccaccio; Decameron.

Luigi Baccio del Bianco (1604-1657)-'the plague in Florence in 1630'

Jules Elie Delaunay (1828-1891)-'plague at Rome'-oil on canvas-1869   Paris-Musée d'Orsay

Gaetano Giulio Zumbo (1656-1701)-'the plague'-wash sculpture   Firenze-Museo Nazionale della Specola

Gaetano Gandolfi (1734-1802)-'St Feliciano liberating Foligno from plague'-oil on canvas   Roma-Galleri Nazionale di Arte Antica (Palazzo Barberini)

Plague (Peste)

During the last two millennia, several plague epidemics are known to have taken place in different parts of the globe, mainly in the the Near East and Europe.


Dos dois últimos milénios conhecem-se várias epidemias de peste em diversas regiões do globo, principalmente no Próximo Oriente e na Europa.

Michael Sweerts (1618-1664)-'plague in ancient city'-oil on canvas

Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904)-'Belzunc making a vow to the Sacred Heart during the plague in Marseilles'-oil on canvas1854 Private collection

Carlo Coppola ( -ca 1672)-'the marketplace in Naples during the plague of 1656'-oil on canvas

Arnold Böcklin-'plague'- tempera on wood Basel-Kunstmuseum

Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)-'the plague of Ashdod'-oil on canvas1631 Paris-Musée du Louvre

A Igreja Católica e a peste (the Catholic Church and the plague)

A Igreja Católica manteve diversos hospitais nas zonas de peste para tratamento dos pestíferos. Os seus representantes intercediam junto da Divindade por um possível milagre que afastasse o mal. Preocupavam-se igualmente com o conforto espiritual dos doentes e preparação dos moribundos para o Além. São Roque era um dos Santos protectores da peste.

The Catholic Church maintained several hospitals in the plague zones to treat the plague-stricken people. Their representatives interceded on people’s behalf so that God would withdraw the evil through a miracle. They also assume as their task the spiritual comfort of patients and the preparation of the dying people to the beyond. St. Roch was one of the patron saints of the plague.

Brothers Limbourg-'procession of Saint Gregory'-miniature-ca 1300 Chantilly-Musée Condé (Très riches heures du Duc de Berry, folio 71v)

Jacob van Oost, the younger (1639-1713)-'St. Macaire of Ghent tending the plague-stricken'-oil on canvas

Pietro Negri (1628-1679)-'the Madona saves Venice from the plague of 1630'-oil on canvas-ca 1673 Venezia-Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Jacopo da Ponte or Bassano (ca 1510-1592)-'St Roche among the plague victims and the Madona in Glory'-oil on canvas-ca 1575 Milano-Pinacoteca di Brera

Jacopo Robusti or Tintoretto (1518-1594)-'St Roch in the hospital'-oil on canvas-1594 Venezia-Scuola Grande di San Rocco