How artists have used their own bodies to document the experience of illness
In short: British Museum director Hartwig Fischer and curator Hugo Chapman examine how physical suffering shapes artistic output. By looking at historical and contemporary works, they explore how illness becomes a subject for personal expression and a reflection of crisis.
The discussion centers on pieces within the British Museum collection that capture the intersection of health and art. The conversation highlights works such as the Nuremberg Danse Macabre print, Mathias Grünewald’s depiction of the crucified Christ, and a historical syphilis pamphlet. These objects serve as lenses through which to view the impact of disease on the human condition.
The episode also features a contemporary drawing by artist Michael Landy, illustrating how the tradition of documenting illness continues to evolve. By contrasting historical artifacts with modern artistic responses, the curators examine the enduring ways in which creators translate the trauma of ill health into visual form.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Objects of Crisis: Self Portraits of Illness
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