Holbein's Dance of death : exhibited in elegant engravings on wood ; also, Holbein's Bible cuts : consisting of ninety illustrations on wood / with a dissertation on the several representations of that subject by Francis Douce ; with introduction by Thos. Frognall Dibdin.

  • Douce, Francis, 1757-1834.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Holbein's Dance of death : exhibited in elegant engravings on wood ; also, Holbein's Bible cuts : consisting of ninety illustrations on wood / with a dissertation on the several representations of that subject by Francis Douce ; with introduction by Thos. Frognall Dibdin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    The Emperor vii Der Kaiser. The Emperor (Maximilian I.) rates his minister for injustice to a suitor. But even in the act Death discrowns him. The King viii Der Konig. The King (Francis I.) sits at feast under a bal- dachin sprinkled with fleurs-de-lis. Death, as a cup-bearer, pours his last draught. The Cardinal ix Der Cardinal. Death lifts off the Cardinal's hat as he is handing a letter of indulgence to a rich man. Luther's opponent, Cardinal Cajetan, is supposed to be represented. The Empress x Die Kaiserinn. The Empress, walking with her women, is in- tercepted by a female Death, who conducts her to an open grave. The Queen xi Die Koniginn. Death, in the guise of a court-jester, drags away the Queen as she is leaving her palace. The Bishop xii Der Bischof. The sun is setting, and Death leads the aged Bishop from the sorrowing shepherds of his flock. The Duke xiir Der Herxog. The Duke turns pitilessly from a beggar-woman and her child. Meanwhile Death, fantastically crowned, lays hands on him. The ABBor xiv Der Abt. Death, having despoiled the Abbot of mitre and crozier, hales him along unwilling, and threaten- ing his enemy with his breviary.