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Death comes to the Miser or Usurer, engraved by Georg Scharffenberg, from Der Todten Tanz
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Death comes to the Miser or Usurer, engraved by Georg Scharffenberg, from Der Todten Tanz
KW278041 Death comes to the Miser or Usurer, engraved by Georg Scharffenberg, from Der Todten Tanz, published Basel, 1843 (litho) by Holbein the Younger, Hans (1497/8-1543) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Dance of Death; Totentanz; ); Ken Welsh; German, out of copyright
Media ID 12786399
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Casket Chest Coins Counting Currency Danse Macabre Grim Reaper Money Lender Stealing Taking Mortality Northern Renaissance
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print titled "Death comes to the Miser or Usurer" transports us back to the medieval era, where artist Georg Scharffenberg skillfully engraved this woodcut from Der Todten Tanz. Published in Basel in 1843, it is a reproduction of an original work by renowned painter Holbein the Younger. The image depicts a chilling scene from The Dance of Death, also known as Totentanz. In this macabre dance, Death himself appears as a skeleton-like Grim Reaper. He stands before a money lender's dimly lit interior, surrounded by stacks of coins and currency that symbolize the miser's ill-gotten wealth. With bony fingers outstretched, Death seems poised to take what rightfully belongs to him - the life and soul of the greedy usurer. The chest or casket beside him represents both his own final resting place and perhaps even the coffin that awaits those consumed by their love for material possessions. Through this powerful composition, Scharffenberg captures not only the inevitability of mortality but also serves as a reminder that no amount of wealth can shield one from death's grasp. This artwork exemplifies Northern Renaissance art with its intricate details and masterful use of light and shadow. As we gaze upon this haunting image, we are reminded that our time on Earth is fleeting and that true value lies not in amassing riches but rather in living a meaningful life filled with compassion and generosity towards others.
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