Suffering and Preparation for Death

The Isenheim Altarpiece addresses death and immortality through the depictions of Christ, both dying on the cross on the exterior as well as his resurrection on the interior. The function of this piece, as an aid in preparation for death, and its placement in hospitals can be compared with the hospitals of todays time that are more fixated on healing and life. The recurring portrayal of disease and descriptive suffering of the figures evoke feelings of both fear and repulsion.

Matthias Grunewald

Isenheim Altarpiece

1512-1516

Oil on panel

Unterlinder Museum, France

The Isenheim Altarpiece, painted by Matthias Grunewald, functioned as a visual reminder for patients at a hospital. Its purpose was to evoke a sort of downward comparison between the patients and Christ and remind the sick of the agony he endured. Even though it may seem like they patients themselves are going to die of St. Anthony's disease (acquired by consuming infected bread and resulting in gangrene limbs and other deformations) it could always be worse. This is depicted through the gangrene flesh covered Christ below in the prudella, covered in pus and ready to be entombed. When the altarpiece is opened, Christ's limbs appear as if they are being detached – much like those suffering from St. Anthony's disease. This graphic portrayal of suffering throughout the altarpiece is described in a book review by A.D. Wright where he suggests that the Isenheim Altarpiece continues to receive scholarly analysis through its ability to perplex and disturb.

Matthias Grunewald

Isenheim Altarpiece

1512-1516

Oil on panel

Unterlinder Museum, France

On the interior of the altarpiece more of the same depictions of torment appear. St. Anthony is seen being tempted by the demons. He is also surrounded by sickly figures, suffering from similar diseases as the hospital patients viewing the altarpiece. The viewer can see the effects of St. Anthony’s Fire in the figure to the bottom left of St. Anthony. The blackened limbs and boils on his flesh are prominent. However, symptom not often related to this disease is also shown – the victims webbed feet. Different from today's culture, people that were intended to view the Isenheim Altarpiece were not at the hospital to heal; they were there in preparation for death. They were supposed to find empathy in these images of the suffering by understanding that the figured depicted had endured much worse physical pain than they were experiencing. An article titled The Meaning and Function of the Isenheim Altarpiece: The Hospital Context Revisited in The Art Bulletin, written by Andree Hayum, reinforces this idea of medicine as a way to ease the suffering of illness rather than cure the disease. He brings up bloodletting and amputation as a means of relieving their symptoms without the hope of actually preserving their life.

Matthias Grunewald

Isenheim Altarpiece

1512-1516

Oil on panel

Unterlinder Museum, France

The exterior of the altarpiece encourages the patients to endure the pain that is clearly lesser than that of Christ's to ultimately witness the resurrection of Christ. The depiction is portrayed as a much more hopeful scene in comparison to the interior. This resurrection was meant to give the hospital patients hope that their pain would pass just as Christ's had.