Decameron by Images

The plague in Florence

In 1348 a terrible plague broke out in Florence, as in many other parts of Europe. No health provision, nor human comfort, nor medical skills have any chance of success against this terrible disease, which insinuates itself in every part of the city. On the bodies of the sick we see bulges and then strange black spots. At this point the affected person is doomed and there is nothing left to do. People die and even animals are not saved

The brilliant reporter of this horrible event is a writer of exception: Giovanni Boccaccio, who describes the disease in all its terrifying power. Through the Decameron, Giovanni Boccaccio describes the plague that struck Florence and the whole of Europe in 1348. Seven girls and three young men, fleeing the city and taking refuge in the Florentine countryside, escape the disease. Here for 10 days they tell tales often in humorous cut.

The "Tribute of contemporary artists to Giovanni Boccaccio" is a collection of works by various contemporary artists who, through their art, payed homage to the great poet and his best known work: the Decameron

The death of Ser Ciappelletto

First day, no theme is established. In the Novella Ser Cepparello, with a false confession deceives a holy friar and dies. Having been a bad man in life, he died reputedly a saint and called San Ciappelletto.

Geneva and Ambrogiolo

The Second day theme is happy ending adventures. The tale represented in the painting, tells a story of love and betrayal.

Giletta di Nerbona e Beltramo

Near Paris lived Giletta, daughter of a doctor and in love with the count of Roussillon, a nobleman at the king's court.Knowing that the king was dying, following the teachings of her father she made a potion, and handed it to the king asking to marry Roussillon in exchange for healing. The count accepted reluctantly and went to Florence out of disdain.

Here he fell in love with a girl who was none other than his wife in disguise. Nine months later Giletta appeared in court with her two young children, Rossiglione recognized her, appreciated her tenacity, and remarried her.

Lisabetta da Messina and the basil jar

In the city of Messina lived three brothers, rich merchants, with their younger sister Elisabetta, a beautiful girl not yet married. She fell in love with a young man named Lorenzo who worked at the warehouse of the three brothers. Lorenzo also fell in love with Elisabetta and the two began dating secretly. The brothers, aware of the relationship, kill Lorenzo and bury him. Lorenzo appears to Elisabetta in a dream telling her where he was buried.

She secretly dug up the head and puts it in a pot of basil where she cries every day.The brothers notice it and remove the basil pot with the beloved's head.
Elisabetta dies because of the pain.

Gianni Lotteringhi e la fantasima

Gianni Lotteringhi's novella is the first novella of the seventh day of Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron, dedicated to the theme of the hoax of women against husbands. It is told by Emilia under the reign of Dioneo.