The Last Judgment, from "The Dance of Death"
Original title: The Last Judgment, from "The Dance of Death"
kurzbeschreibung
Christ sits as judge above a globe: this subject belongs to Hans Holbein the Younger's woodcut series 'Der Totentanz', made around 1526 and published in 1538. The small-format sheet gathers numerous figures in varied poses around the earth.
Description
A powerful sphere, symbol of the earth, occupies the middle of the sheet; a cross rises above it. Over it appears a figure understood as Christ, one hand touching the globe. Around the sphere crowd figures who seem to take part in the events on earth. Below the earth, people are seen in changing poses: some raise their arms, others struggle or fold their hands in prayer. Clouds and further figures, likely angels or spiritual beings, fill the upper part of the image.
Context
Holbein made the woodcut around 1526, a time when the Reformation put religious imagery up for debate. The works in the series arose during his stay in Basel, where he had contact with humanist circles. 'Der Totentanz' first appeared in Lyon in 1538 and quickly spread widely.
Impact
The black and white of the print instills seriousness and reflection, its delicate lines dividing the surface. The symmetrical layout, which places the earth at the center, underlines the universal claim of the Last Judgment.
Technique
For printing, the design was cut into a woodblock and then pulled onto paper. Typical of the relief process are the sharp, clear contours that hold many details even in a small format.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)