History of Torture
“Softly, softly, gallows are everywhere and numerous are the executioners;
the air around the gallows is pestilent – the mere mouthing of this word revolts me – and the hangmen are no fellows to converse with.”
(Erasmus of Rotterdam, 16th Century)
Pestilent air around the gallows, screams of agony on the rack, whooping crowds gathered around the pillory … It seems to be sheer barbarious abuses from the dark Middle Ages.
Fortunately, we are living in modern civilization now – we think.
However, historic reality is less comforting.
This exhibition shows reality as it existed less than two centuries ago. By setting gruesome examples, Public Authorities demonstrated their right to do as they pleased with the lives and bodies of their subjects. If the grotesque diversity of instruments of torture still invokes feelings of horror, it is no more than the designers’ intended effect.
