Violence And Death Through The Arts

(via Corinthian helmet from the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) found with the warrior’s skull inside. - Museum of Artifacts)

Hieronymus Bosch

On November 13th, 1985, a massive eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano occurred, killing 22 000 people and destroying thirteen villages in Colombia. One very notable victim of this natural disaster was that of 13-year-old Omayra Sanchez. When the lahar hit her house, Omayra’s legs became trapped under her home’s concrete and roof, rendering her immobilized from the waist down. Despite rescue teams’ best efforts to free the girl, they were unable to without breaking her legs in the process. The young girl remained trapped beneath the water for three harrowing nights. During her predicament, she was said to have had a positive attitude, agreeing to be interviewed and singing songs. It was decided by doctors that it would be more humane to let her die, as they were lacking in the surgical equipment needed to save her if they were to amputate her legs. She died on November 16th due to exposure, either from hypothermia or gangrene. Just the day before, her face reportedly swelled, her hands whitened, and her eyes turned completely red. French photographer Frank Fournier took a photograph of her in her final days, which was titled The Agony of Omayra Sanchez. In the photograph, the lighting made her eyes appear black instead of red.

  Marcelino Vespeira

Da Un’altra Angolazione (by Marcello Alinari)

Keith Haring (American, 1958-1990), Untitled, 1985. Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60 in.

Dance macabre