Objective:

to analyze social behavior in the face of the bubonic plague epidemic in Seville in the 17th century through the study of an anonymous painting of the time.

Methodology:

Iconographic and iconological analysis under the inspiration of Panofsky, in combination with narrative sources of the time.

Results:

The painting shows a thematic progression in blocks of scenes that represent from the everyday to the disturbing to end in the tragic. With two symbolic planes: a hospital as a witness and a square as a center of representation of the daily life of the epidemic.

Conclusion:

the work is conceived with a clear evangelizing intention, showing an apocalyptic environment so that the faithful become aware of their vulnerability and the danger of a life apart from Christian values.