A plague scene at right, a man at left holding a torch illuminating part of the scene, ill people at the right 1510 - 1521

Marcantonio Raimondi created this engraving, "A Plague Scene," in the early 16th century, a period marked by recurring epidemics and profound social upheaval. Raimondi, working in Italy, situated himself in the cultural milieu of the Renaissance, where classical themes were often reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. This work depicts a scene of devastation, with disease-stricken figures rendered with stark emotional intensity. The juxtaposition of classical architectural elements with the raw, unfiltered reality of human suffering invites us to consider the complex intersections of power, vulnerability, and mortality. The plague did not discriminate, yet its impact was most acutely felt by those already marginalized. Raimondi’s choice to depict this scene through the precise medium of engraving underscores the period’s tension between artistic ideals and lived experience. The plague ravaged communities, challenging existing social structures and prompting reflection on the human condition.