Bride, from the Dance of Death
Original title: Bride, from the Dance of Death
kurzbeschreibung
A skeleton holding a clock stands between two women in historical dress — this motif carries Wenceslaus Hollar's etching "Braut, aus dem Totentanz" (Bride, from the Dance of Death). The plate was made in 1651, though this impression dates from the late 18th century. It is the second of four states, measuring 7.7 × 5.8 cm.
Description
At the center, a skeleton in traditional garb grasps a clock with its right hand. From the left, a woman in a sumptuous gown approaches and touches the skeleton's chest; on the right, a second woman gathers her dress, both wearing head coverings. Curtains and a window opening form the rear area, while a book and a bowl lie on a table. A Latin text, resembling a biblical quotation, runs along the bottom.
Context
Dance of Death motifs were widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries, underscoring the omnipresence of death. The Bohemian printmaker Hollar created this etching in 1651 as part of a series. That the print itself was made in the late 18th century speaks to the theme's enduring appeal. The small format suggests a devotional or collector's image.
Impact
Skeleton and elegant garments meet in a tension that remains unsettled between mortality and worldly splendor. Precise linework and close observation give the scene a quiet yet insistent mood.
Technique
In etching, the drawing is bitten into a copper plate. The sharp contours and densely set strokes are characteristic of 17th-century printmaking. The second state implies revisions to the plate made before further impressions were pulled.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)