The Triumph of Death 

Jan Brueghel the Elder painted "The Triumph of Death" in the early 17th century, a period of immense social upheaval in Europe. Brueghel's nightmarish panorama is a clear visual metaphor for the sweeping plague outbreaks of the period. In it, armies of skeletons pillage the earth, gathering souls regardless of status. We can see kings and soldiers, peasants and lovers, all succumbing equally. Made in the Netherlands, this painting resonates with the religious anxieties of the time, when the Catholic Church was losing its grip on the social imagination. The lack of hope for salvation might indicate an appeal to the emerging Protestant work ethic. To understand "The Triumph of Death" better, look at the history of public health, social mobility, and religious reform in the Netherlands. Art like this is not just a reflection of society, but an active participant in its debates.