The breaking wheel, several of which can be seen here in the background of Bruegel’s “The Triumph of Death” was a torture device used for capital punishment in the middle ages and later into the 19th century. In the epitome of cruel (if not unusual) punishment, offenders were tied to a wheel and beaten with a cudgel. The aim was to break bones and cause the most pain possible. Sometimes it could take days to die from this “breaking on the wheel.” Ironically, the cudgel was also called a life preserver, a club intended for self-defense.
- “The Triumph of Death” painted c. 1562 by Pieter Bruegel the Elder
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But why would one be sentenced to the breaking wheel is the real question.
This painting is full of brutal imagery. Then again, life in the Middle Ages was brutal. Usually painters of pictures like this painted themselves into the scenery somewhere. There is only one other painting I have seen which is almost as brutal as this, it is ‘The Death of Sardanapalus.” It doesn’t have all the religious symbolism in it. This is a powerful painting, I think.
From what I read about this punishment, it was mostly used for executing the worst criminals of the time, which could include murderers. The painting isn’t something I would have as a poster in the kid’s room, that’s for sure. I think the imagery reflects the painter’s own nightmares about death.
Even more symbolism can be found in Bruegel’s obvious inspiration, Hieronymus Bosch. Check out his “The Garden of Earthly Delights.” Old Harry had issues.
The Garden of Earthly Delights and The Triumph of Death are at the same museum in Madrid, Spain.
If I ever go to Madrid, I’ll go to that museum.