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Skeleton of Death dragging away an Abbot by his robes
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Skeleton of Death dragging away an Abbot by his robes
Skeleton of Death with mitre and crozier pulling an Abbot by his robes. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Wenceslaus Hollar from The Dance of Death by Hans Holbein, Coxhead, London, 1816
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Media ID 23194168
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Abbot Breviary Crozier Habit Hans Holbein Hollar Hourglass Mitre Robes Skeleton Wenceslaus Prayerbook
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This hauntingly beautiful hand-colored copperplate engraving, created by Wenceslaus Hollar in 1816, depicts the skeletal figure of Death in the guise of a bishop, or the Skeleton of Death, dragging an abbot by his robes. The abbot, dressed in the traditional habit and holding a prayerbook or breviary, is shown in a moment of shock and despair as Death, represented by the skeleton wearing a mitre and crozier, seizes him by the robes. The hourglass at the bottom left of the image serves as a poignant reminder of the transience of life. This image is taken from Hans Holbein's iconic series, "The Dance of Death," which emphasizes the universality of death and its disregard for social status, wealth, or power. The series was first published in Strasbourg in 1538 and has since been reprinted numerous times, making it one of the most famous and enduring works of art from the Renaissance period. The intricate details of the engraving, from the folds of the abbot's habit to the delicate lines of the skeleton's bones, are a testament to Hollar's mastery of the copperplate engraving technique. The use of hand-coloring adds an additional layer of depth and emotion to the image, making it a captivating and thought-provoking work of art that continues to resonate with audiences today.
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