Reflection of the post-20th century epidemic process on painting art

Major disasters have affected all humanity throughout history, dragging the society into a difficult process in the psychological, sociological and economic context. While natural disasters as well as epidemics cause serious loss of life, it also educated people about taking precautions such as drug treatment and hygiene rules. Many epidemic diseases in history such as Typhus, Plague, Cholera, Leprosy, Syphilis, Malaria, Smallpox, Spanish Flu, Avian Flu, Swine Flu, Sars Virus have caused serious chaos and high loss of life. While the epidemic process, which started in 165, brought the individual face to face with a disease for the first time, with the current COVID-19 epidemic, the pandemic was internalized and people began to adapt to the quarantine life. This global problem not only shook the country economically, but also caused some psychological problems. Fear of death, being sick, choking on chemical drugs by being very meticulous, staying home alone, depression, distress, different habits and phobias. This situation not only affected people from all walks of life, but also deeply affected artists who were a part of the society. The art of painting, which turned into a powerful means of expression with the emerging material shortage, the way the works are exhibited, color-changing palettes and differentiating themes, was dragged into a metamorphosis with the epidemic process. The works created on epidemic diseases have entered the literature in the context of the proof of the period. In this study, the historical process of epidemics was examined, examples from works of art were presented and a formal analysis was made. The stylistic difference and the change of plastic elements created by this global problem in the artists were questioned by the Semiotic Method and Ethnographic Research and a comparative analysis was made. In this context, it is aimed to examine the reflection of many problems experienced during the epidemic period on artistic production and to reveal their effects on the art of painting. Keywords: Epidemic, Disease, Death, Painting Art, Society