Image 2.1
JOSSE LIEFERINXE, SAINT SEBASTIAN INTERCEDING FOR THE PLAGUE STRICKEN (c. 1497)1
Originating north of China, the Black Death worked havoc first in East and South Asia in the early 1330s, carry-­‐
ing away some 25 million people. In 1347, it raged from Constantinople to the farthest corners of Europe over the next five years, killing up to one-­‐
third or even one-­‐half of the popula-­‐
tion in many regions, for a death toll of some 30 million. The social and even geopolitical effects were devas-­‐
tating. One scholar argues persua-­‐
sively that it helped precipitate the fall of the Mongol Empire and the Chinese Yuan Dynasty (1206–1368) and in general weakened all the great powers of Asia.
In the painting reproduced here, Josse Lieferinxe (fl 1493–1505), a South Netherlandish artist, depicts Saint Sebastian praying to God on behalf of plague victims while a priest performs the rite of committal at the graveside. Saint Sebastian (died c. 288) was an early Christian martyr venerated as a patron of plague vic-­‐
tims.
For the image’s original Inter-­‐
net location, click here. 1
Image provided courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.