What does The Last Judgment tell us about the early global world?
This Venetian Last Judgment can tell us a lot about the early global world. The depiction of Christ and the story of the afterlife reminds us of the importance of religion in the Middle Ages. From the different pigments and materials used in this painting, we can also learn a lot about trade across the early global world. The use of lapis lazuli in Italian paintings is evidence that the Venetian Republic was connected to Afghanistan via the trade routes of the Silk Roads. The use of gold leaf suggests that Venice was also connected to trans-Saharan trade in Africa. The Last Judgment is not only a deeply religious painting but also highlights Venice's central role as a hub for medieval trade.
Tommy Leimkuhler, College of the Holy Cross, Class of 2025
