In the fourteenth century, Europe was a place ravaged by the effects of war and famine and then devastated by the Black Death. These multiple crises lead to a widespread mystical religiosity, which emphasised both ecstatic joy and extreme suffering. This in turn inspired the creation of some of the most magnificent religious art of the period, from depictions of the Crucifixion, to the martyrdom of saints. The ever growing literate elite also created demand for secular art, from magnificent portraits, to lavishly illuminated manuscripts. "European Art in the Fourteenth Century" highlights the most important artists, works, concepts and theories of the period, accompanied by 400 full-colour illustrations.
