The Rapture of Death

The Rapture of Death

This unusual art book is a philosophical enquiry into the use of deathly imagery in contemporary art. It explores art and also literature, film and history to investigate why fear of death is an intrinsic part of life.

This literary non fiction art book is a protracted, personal and accessible essay into the meaning of mortal fear and its related symbols, myths, rhapsodies, warnings and curious obsessions. Small, tactile and collectible, the book stalks monsters, nineteenth century ghost traditions, skulls, taxidermy, seventeenth century wunderkammer and the latest ‘curiosity art’ to find some answers. Discussions of burial poles, fetish and the glorious wings of angels add to the writer’s attempts to uncover our deepest deathly fears.