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Skeleton of Death about to spear a Swiss soldier

Skeleton of Death about to spear a Swiss soldier


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Skeleton of Death about to spear a Swiss soldier

Skeleton of Death about to spear a Swiss soldier on a battlefield, as another skeletal drummer advances behind them. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Wenceslaus Hollar from The Dance of Death by Hans Holbein, Coxhead, London, 1816

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Media ID 23194190

© Florilegius/Mary Evans

Armour Battlefield Carnage Drummer Hans Holbein Hollar Hourglass Mercenary Skeleton Spear Swiss Wenceslaus


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EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting image, titled "Skeleton of Death about to spear a Swiss Soldier," is a hand-colored copperplate engraving by the renowned artist Wenceslaus Hollar. It is taken from the series "The Dance of Death" by Hans Holbein, published in London by Coxhead in 1816. The engraving depicts the grim reaper, or Skeleton of Death, in the midst of a battlefield, poised to strike a Swiss soldier with his spear. The soldier, dressed in full armor and wielding a sword, is caught off guard, seemingly oblivious to the impending doom. In the background, another skeleton, this one playing a drum, advances ominously. The drummer's skull is adorned with a feathered headdress, and his bony fingers drum a relentless beat, adding to the cacophony of war. The hourglass in the skeleton's other hand serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The scene is a chilling reminder of the carnage and chaos that often accompanied medieval warfare. The use of mercenaries, such as the Swiss soldiers depicted here, added an additional layer of complexity and unpredictability to the battlefield. The soldiers, though paid to fight, were ultimately powerless against the inexorable march of death. Wenceslaus Hollar's skillful engraving brings to life the intricacies of the original woodcut by Hans Holbein, adding depth and nuance to the macabre scene. The hand-coloring further enhances the image, adding a vividness and richness that would have been impossible with printing techniques. This haunting image serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, a theme that resonates across time and culture.

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