Les artes moriendi, manuals per a una bona mort a l’occident europeu dels segles XV-XVI

Abstract

The subject of death has been studied since ancient times, but not from the same perspective. This article studies the change of attitude occurred in 15th-16th centuries after the council of Constance, when death came to be understood less as a source of fear than as a necessary transit. After the judgment confronting the forces of good and evil, the salvation of the soul is debated in the room of the dying. Influenced by Jean Gerson’s work, editions and translations of artes moriendi were printed in various languages,​​ sometimes including engravings to help contemplation: among them is the translation of Bernardí Vallmanya’s Cordial de l’ànima.