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The Dance of Death, allegorical artwork
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The Dance of Death, allegorical artwork
The Dance of Death (1493). This artwork, by the German painter Michael Wolgemut (1434-1519), was published in the Liber chronicarum (Book of Chronicles, Nuremburg, 1493) by the German physician Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514). Depicting skeletons dancing by a grave, the concept is that of the Danse Macabre, a medieval allegory reminding people that death comes to everyone, no matter what status they attain in life. This copy of the artwork is from the German book Die Karikatur und Satire in der Medizin (Caricature and Satire in Medicine, 1921) by the German art historian and physician Eugen Hollander (1867-1932)
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Media ID 6332251
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1400s 15th Century 1921 After Life Allegorical Allegory Art History C Ulture Caricature Caricaturised Corpse Cultural Dancer Dancing Dead Dead Body Death Die Karikatur Und Satire In Der Medizin Eugen Hollander German Grave Grave Yard History Of Medicine Mediaeval Medieval Memento Mori Middle Ages Musical Instrument Religion Religious Satire Satirical Skeletons 1493 Book Of Chronicles Corpses Dance Of Death Danse Macabre Dead Bodies Hartmann Schedel Liber Chronicarum Living Dead Michael Wolgemut Mono Chrome Oboe Resurrected The Dance Of Death Totentanz Zombie Zombies
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases "The Dance of Death" an allegorical artwork created by the renowned German painter Michael Wolgemut in 1493. Published in the Liber chronicarum (Book of Chronicles) by Hartmann Schedel, a German physician, this piece serves as a powerful reminder that death is inevitable for all individuals, regardless of their social status or achievements. In this mesmerizing illustration, skeletons are depicted joyfully dancing near a grave. This concept represents the Danse Macabre, a medieval allegory that aimed to emphasize the universality and impartiality of death. The monochromatic tones add depth and intensity to the scene while highlighting its historical significance. This particular copy of "The Dance of Death" originates from Eugen Hollander's book Die Karikatur und Satire in der Medizin (Caricature and Satire in Medicine), published in Germany in 1921. Hollander was not only an art historian but also a physician who recognized the cultural importance and satirical nature behind such artworks. By capturing this image, Science Photo Library allows us to delve into history and explore how religious beliefs, cultural practices, and artistic expressions intersected during the Middle Ages. It serves as a memento mori—a symbolic representation urging viewers to contemplate their mortality while appreciating the rich tapestry of human existence throughout time.
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