Sorry, I am a confused by your question. How would the people of that era have viewed death because of this piece? If that is indeed your question, it has a bit of a loaded answer. The idea of death had already taken the transition into a scientific state for some, and retained its religious reverence by others. This piece, I feel, would have bridged the gap between those two methods of thought, making the viewer feel as if regardless of the connotation, that death can be beautiful. Hope that answers your question.