Love and Death - Philosophy, History, Literature, Theater, Art History, Music, Architecture, Photography, and Film History

Love and Death through the Centuries

Period: 420 BCE to 1996

Destruction of Pompeii [History]

79

Amidst the apocalyptic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, some of the victims sought out each-other's embrace in their final shared moments.

Chartres Cathedral [Architecture]

1252

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres is an ancient gothic cathedral which serves as the seat of the Bishop of Chartres. It stands as a demonstration of both High Gothic and Classic Gothic architecture.

Romeo and Juliet [Theater]

1597

Shakespeare's iconic, enduring tragedy revolves around the romance between the young Romeo and Juliet, and their fledgling romance results in both of their deaths.

The Burial of Atala [Art History]

1808

This oil painting by Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson depicts the body of a woman dressed in a burial robe being laid to rest as a priest reads her last rites. Meanwhile a naked man—clearly emotionally distraught—embraces her by the legs. We see him clinging onto the woman as though for dear life. The piece was inspired by a romantic novel by the name of Atala.

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame [Literature]

Mar 16, 1831

Victor Hugo's French Gothic classic tells the story of a deformed bell-ringer and his doomed love for a Romani street dancer who shows him kindness before she is falsely accused of attempted murder.

Love and Death [Art History]

1881

Calcedonio Reina's 1881 painting depicts a couple entangled in a passionate kiss while completely surrounded by displays of mummified corpses.

The Kiss [Art History]

1897

This Edvard Munch painting depicts a couple sitting by a window. The two of them are locked in each other's embrace; their faces blending together into a featureless mass as they kiss one another.

Being in Time [Philosophy]

1927

In his magnum opus, Martin Martin Heidegger describes a philosophy of 'Being-towards-Death'. He describes confronting and accepting the finality of death in order to give meaning to the things in life, including love. “If I take death into my life, acknowledge it, and face it squarely, I will free myself from the anxiety of death and the pettiness of life - and only then will I be free to become myself. ”

Ethel And Julius Rosenberg Kissing [Photography]

1950

This photograph, taken in the back of a prison van, shows Julius and Ethel Rosenberg sharing a kiss. The married couple was arrested by the FBI on espionage charges when they snuck atomic secrets to the Soviets and were later executed for their crimes.

The Seventh Seal [Film History]

Feb 16, 1957

Ingmar Bergman's film follows a medieval Knight and a game he plays with the personification Death in order to prevent Death from taking his life. https://youtu.be/vZucwtdSvJ8

(Don’t Fear) The Reaper [Music]

May 21, 1976

This Blue Öyster Cult song from their Album 'Agents of Fortune' is a plea to the singer's lover to not to fear death. Through the song’s lyrics he assures her that their shared love will transcend their earthly forms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy4HA3vUv2c

Love Will Tear Us Apart [Music]

1980

Released a month after Ian Curtis's tragic suicide, this Joy Division single was inspired by their late lead singer's struggles with epilepsy.

The Terminator [Film History]

Oct 26, 1984

James Cameron's 1984 Sci-Fi Romance tells the tale of a soldier from the future protecting falling in love with the woman who is fated to give birth to humanity's savior. https://youtu.be/wSXl_XKXZAI?si=2JWw0onUuYywrtLD&t=191

Nan Goldin – The Ballad of Sexual Dependency [Photography]

1985

Nan Goldin's 1985 slideshow exhibition serves as an autobiographical account of the New York queer and bohemian scene during the late 70s and early 80s depicting the intimacy of relationships and tragic realities of addiction and abuse. https://www.artsy.net/show/museum-of-modern-art-nan-goldin-the-ballad-of-sexual-dependency

Phantom Blood [Literature]

Jan 1, 1987

Originally published as "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 1 Jonathan Joestar: His Youth", Phantom Blood is Supernatural Adventure manga that tells the story of a young man's lifelong conflict with his murderous adoptive brother.