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La Chaise-Dieu: The Danse Macabre

(vero;2022-Nov-21)

A Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) is a painting illustrating the inexorability of death and the equality of all human beings before it. This is done by showing skeletal figures dragging the living towards their death and this whatever their station in life: mighty people, bourgeois or commoners alike.

Death was particularly present in the 15th century. Plagues and wars (the Hundred Years' War) decimated the population which in Europe was reduced by half between 1350 and 1450. The Church made the preparation for death a very important subject of reflection during this time, as witnessed by the art of this period, being poems, scenic plays in churches, paintings or sculptures.

The painting at La Chaise-Dieu spans three panels and four pillars and was painted by an unknown artist. It is difficult to date, but most of the garments are contemporary with Joan of Arc; it is therefore possible that the panels were made around 1450, which would make this mural the oldest Dance of Death found in Europe. The dead here are not really skeletons but rather cadavers with skin on their bones who dance and indulge in many facetious acts. The living (twenty-four in number), are divided into three categories: the Mighty Ones, the Bourgeoisie and the Commoners. The location of this work of art outside the choir implies that it was intended for pilgrims rather than for monks.

Some Close-Ups with explanations

Panorama of the first panel: The Mighty Ones

Panorama of the second panel: The Bourgeoisie

Panorama of the third panel: The Commoners

Some Close-Ups with explanations

The Mighty Ones (1), from left to right: first comes the Pope, recognisable by his tiara. Death steps on his garment and elbows him from behind to nudge him into death which he seems to accept. Then comes the Emperor followed by the Cardinal: Death persuades him with a charming smile to give up his life. Then comes the King with his fancy hat and precious clothes.

The Mighty Ones (2), from left to right: first come the Envoy of the Pope. Then comes the Constable, commander-in-chief of the Royal army. Death takes hold of his forearm but he seems to refuse, resisting and heading into the wrong direction while raising his right hand as if arguing that he still has battles to win. The last person is an Abbot with his mitre on his head and submitting to his fate.

The Mighty Ones: detail of the Pope Envoy.

The Mighty Ones: detail of the Cardinal with his red coat. Death on his left is very enticing and charming.

The Bourgeoisie (1), from left to right: first comes a Burgher followed by a Canon and a character with a neat beard; well set on his feet and sumptuously dressed, it is a prosperous merchant as evidenced by his full purse fastened at his waist. He looks down on Death, as if trying to buy some more time. But Death does not negotiate and points him with a broad smile into the right direction.

The Bourgeoisie (2), from left to right: first comes a nun followed by a royal sergeant, looking smart and self-conscious with his wide-brimmed hat, his staff and a fleur-de-lis on his chest. But he seems not to understand: behind him, Death on his left is disarming him with laughter, while on the right Death pulls him to join in the dance. The last one on his picture is a monk. If you look closely, you'll notice that he has four hands and two heads: the artist seems to have changed his mind on how he wanted to draw him. As a resigned brother, with his head raised under a bonnet and his hands on his belt or as a very pious brother with his head bowed and hands clasped praying and ready to face his beloved God.

The Commoners (1), from left to right: first comes a handsome young man with a nice hair-do, bewildered as Death slaps his hand causing the bouquet he was taking to his fiancée to fall to the ground. Then comes a doctor at the Sorbonne blinded by his cap suggesting that he has probably no grip on reality. Death on his left points an accusing finger at the parchments hanging from his waist: all this knowledge, full of errors, sounds like the rattle that Death on his right shakes in his ear. He is followed by a Troubadour beautifully clothed who seems to have lost his humour when it comes to his own death and crushes his hurdy-gurdy out of spite. The last character, a Novice seems to be very uncomfortable as Death wants to look at his work.

The Commoners (2), from left to right: a smiling Death catches up with a Labourer who is going in the wrong direction. He has a bulging grain sack on his shoulder and seems very sad to leave his fields, dropping his sickle out of spite. Next comes a Franciscan preacher: Death grasps him as he is also going in the wrong direction with his head bowed: could it be that he is not convinced of eternal life? Last but not least, Death comes to take a small child lying on the floor in swaddling clothes. By bowing and hiding its face, Death is showing its shame and wants to reassure the child: he is baptised and will go straight to Heaven to enjoy eternal life and happiness.

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Panorama of the first panel: The Mighty Ones

From left to right, each framed by cadavers who drag them into the dance: the Pope, an Emperor, a Cardinal, a King, an Envoy of the Pope, a Constable, an Abbot and a Knight.

Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail.

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Panorama of the second panel: The Bourgeoisie

From left to right, each framed by cadavers who drag them into the dance: an unidentified figure, a Burgher, a Canon, a Merchant, a Nun, a Royal Sergeant, a Monk.

Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail.

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Panorama of the third panel: The Commoners

From left to right, each framed by cadavers who drag them into the dance: a Young Man, a University Doctor, a Troubadour, a Novice, a Labourer, a Preacher, a small Child.

Click on the panorama to open a larger version in a separate tab. Click again to activate scrolling and use the bottom scroll bar to navigate through the picture and view it in full detail.

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Want to read more? Go back to La Chaise-Dieu: Details of the Choir Tapestries or go on to Other Things French or go up to Abbey of La Chaise-Dieu