Dance of Death

Additional Terms

Dance of Death

Artists have long explored the theme of death, often in the form of a Dance of Death. Dating back to medieval times, the Dance of Death (Totentanz in German and danse macabre in French) reminds humans that Death is a constant companion, a fellow traveler on the journey of life. Although it appears in many cultures, the Totentanz was especially prevalent in Germany, as seen in the work of late medieval printmakers Albrecht Dürer and Hans Holbein. The Totentanz reemerged in German art from time to time throughout the centuries, usually during moments of political or social crisis.

Totentanz

danse macabre