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DEATH AND THE PRINTERS. Woodcut from La Grande Danse Macabre, printed at Lyon in 1499-1500
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DEATH AND THE PRINTERS. Woodcut from La Grande Danse Macabre, printed at Lyon in 1499-1500
DEATH AND THE PRINTERS.
Woodcut from La Grande Danse Macabre, printed at Lyon in 1499-1500. This is the earliest extant depiction of the printing press
Granger holds millions of images spanning more than 25,000 years of world history, from before the Stone Age to the dawn of the Space Age
Media ID 13134387
1499 1500 Allegory Craftsman Death Grim Reaper Lyon Movable Type Plague Press Print Shop Printing Press Printmaker Skeleton Skill Victim Workshop Danse Macabre
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This woodcut from La Grande Danse Macabre, printed at Lyon in 1499-1500, offers a glimpse into the fascinating world of medieval printing. Titled "Death and the Printers" it is not only a striking visual representation but also holds historical significance as the earliest surviving depiction of the printing press. The scene portrays Death himself, personified as a grim reaper, standing amidst a bustling print shop. Surrounded by craftsmen diligently working on their presses and movable type, Death reminds us of our mortality even in the midst of creation. The skeleton-like figure serves as a haunting reminder that no matter how skilled or dedicated we may be to our craft, death ultimately awaits us all. In this allegorical artwork, Death's presence suggests that even those who possess great skill and talent are not exempt from its grasp. It serves as a poignant reflection on life's transience and the inevitability of our own mortality. Beyond its symbolic meaning, this woodcut also provides valuable insight into the early days of printing technology. It showcases an era when print shops were buzzing with activity and craftsmen labored meticulously to produce books using moveable type. Overall, this powerful image captures both the beauty and fragility of human existence while shedding light on one of history's most transformative inventions – the printing press.
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