Michele Cometa's book reexamines Palermo's Triumph of Death fresco

Michele Cometa's book "Il Trionfo della morte di Palermo. Un'allegoria della modernità" was presented at the Galleria Corsini in Rome as part of the Libri Barberini/Corsini series. The study focuses on the famous fresco "Triumph of Death," originally painted around 1450 in the courtyard of the Ospedale Grande e Nuovo at Palazzo Sclafani in Palermo, now housed in the Galleria di Palazzo Abatellis. Cometa argues that the fresco, while late medieval in iconography, embodies a modern, secular worldview. He draws connections to Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" (1937), noting the possible influence of the half-skeleton horse head. The book analyzes the painting's narrative, symbolism, and visual culture, emphasizing the relationships, rhythms, and symmetries among the figures. The fresco reflects a melting pot of European painting schools, including Catalan, Italian, Franco-Burgundian, and Flemish traditions, executed by an unknown artist who depicted himself with his assistant at the far left. Cometa identifies themes of stupor, indignation, care, and consolation, and highlights the falconer figure on the upper right, who turns his back to the viewer and gazes beyond a hedge, evoking a romantic nostalgia for the future reminiscent of Giacomo Leopardi's "L'infinito." The book is published by Quodlibet, Macerata, 2017, 180 pages, €16.