Coat-of-Arms of Death, from 'The Dance of Death'
Original title: Coat-of-Arms of Death, from "The Dance of Death"
kurzbeschreibung
This woodcut, 'Coat of Arms of Death', belongs to Hans Holbein the Younger's series 'The Dance of Death', made around 1526 and first published in 1538. At its heart is a heraldic shield topped with a skull and an hourglass, flanked by a man and a woman. The print measures 6.5 × 4.9 cm.
Description
A symmetrically arranged coat of arms carries a skull with an hourglass at the top. To either side stand a bearded man in a cap and cloak and a woman in a long gown with a pearl necklace; both extend one arm toward the hourglass. Below the shield, another skull rests on a bench. Clouds and mountains suggest a landscape. Fine, evenly spaced lines define the monochrome image.
Context
The 'Dance of Death' series was created in the 1520s and first appeared in print in Lyon in 1538. It demonstrates the omnipresence of death and the equality of all ranks. This sheet serves as a title or closing vignette and concentrates the symbolism of the series. Holbein moved in humanist and Reformation circles, which is reflected in the moralizing imagery.
Impact
At first glance, calm prevails: the strict mirroring of the figures and clear contours hold the eye at the center. Skull and hourglass bring seriousness and warning to the fore. Despite the small format, the linework remains dense and detailed, so the eye keeps discovering new particulars.
Technique
For this woodcut, the design was cut into a woodblock and then printed. Fine lines and hatching attest to the high printmaking skill of the Renaissance. The format of 6.5 × 4.9 cm demanded extreme care in both cutting and printing.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)