Lo2
Stylised Sketch of plague doctor mask. Collage element added. Photographed and digitally enhanced using snapseed. Various media used. Aluminium foil tape, vintage paper, letter sets,collage etc used.
Plague doctors were used in the days of the Black Death or the bubonic plague, and the plague doctor uniform/protective clothing is now synonymous with the Venetians and their carnival costumes. The bird like mask was shaped with an enlarged beak and air openings and herbs were stuffed into the beak to stop the stench of the illness but it was also believed that the herbs would prevent the disease from transmitting to the doctor. However it was more likely that the length of the beak and the distance front the patient that lowered the risk. The doctor would also have glass covered eyes, a hat and usually a cane in order that they do not touch the patient. throughout the generations the plague doctor costume has been used and is now very ornate and the fashion has also been to create a steam punk look where the mask is embellished with metal and leather.
Black Death was the most devastating pandemic in the history of humanity, killing 60% of Europeans, died 50 million of a total of 80 million
