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Skeleton of Death holding a bone above a Preacher
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Skeleton of Death holding a bone above a Preacher
Skeleton of Death holding a bone above the head of a Preacher as he preaches to his congregation in church. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Wenceslaus Hollar from The Dance of Death by Hans Holbein, Coxhead, London, 1816
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Media ID 23194184
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Bone Congregation Hans Holbein Hollar Preacher Priest Skeleton Wenceslaus
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This hauntingly beautiful hand-colored copperplate engraving, created by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1816, depicts a chilling scene from Hans Holbein's iconic series, "The Dance of Death." In this image, Skeleton of Death, personified as a gaunt, bony figure, looms over a preacher as he delivers a sermon to his congregation in a church. The skeleton holds a bone aloft, ready to strike the unsuspecting clergyman. The Dance of Death, also known as the Danse Macabre, is a series of woodcuts and engravings that originated in Europe during the 15th century. The images in this series depict Death as a skeleton, dancing with various figures from all walks of life, reminding them of their inevitable mortality. This particular image serves as a stark reminder of the transience of life and the inescapable grasp of Death. The preacher, dressed in his priestly robes and holding a Bible, is oblivious to the impending doom represented by the skeleton. His congregation, frozen in their pews, watch in silent awe as the macabre scene unfolds before them. The intricate details of the engraving, from the folds in the preacher's robes to the individual strands of hair on the skeleton's skull, add to the overall sense of eeriness and foreboding. This engraving, with its intricate detail and thought-provoking subject matter, is a testament to the enduring power of art to challenge our perceptions and provoke deep reflection on the human condition.
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