Painting

Painting responded to the plague-darkened vision of the human condition provoked by repeated exposure to sudden, inexplicable death. Tuscan painters reacted against Giotto's serenity, preferring sterner, hieratic portrayals of religious scenes and figures. The "Dance of Death" became a common theme for art; and several other macabre motifs entered the European repertory.

Pictures must not be too picturesque.

Wrought he not well that painted it?
He wrought better that made the painter; and yet he's but a filthy piece of work.