Dance of Death

Artist or Author: Matthaus Merian

Work: Todten-Tantz … or The Dance of the Dead

Date of Publication: 1725

Style: Engraving with Old Hand-coloring

Paper Size: ~ 6 1/2" by 8"

Condition: The work is very good condition overall. The engravings may exhibit some toning or foxing due to age, but beautifully rendered color and details. Many of the engravings available from the work have been archivally rebacked. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.

Description of the work:

This rare and early engraving is from Matthaus Merian's Todten-Tantz, wie derselbe in der löblichen und weit-berühmten Stadt Basel, als ein Spiegel menschlicher Beschaffenheit... or The Dance of the Dead... The Dance of Death, as it can be seen in the laudable and world-famous city of Basel. This engraving was published in Frankfurt in 1725 by Joh. B. Andrea and H. Hort.

The engravings are printed from the original plates used for Grossbasler Totentanz first published in Basel in 1621. This is an enchanting rendering of Merian's work with very old hand-coloring added to the plate, often with added borders or details. There is a top coating providing a nice sheen to the color.

Merian first rendered the 'Dance of Death' mural in 1616, just after Emanuel Bock's restoration. He published the most complete and reliable representation of the 'Dance of Death.' He viewed the mural as "'a mirror of human existence' in which people should recognize themselves in their transience and the resulting demand for a meaningful, God-devoted Christian life." (exhibition catalogue: Dances of Death of the HAB)

Matthaeus Merian (1593-1650) was part of an exceptional artistic family. He was an artist and engraver himself that was born in Switzerland, and received training in engraving in Zurich, Nancy, Paris, and Strasbourg. He settled in Frankfurt where he worked for Johann Theodor de Bry, another accomplished publisher, and married his daughter, Maria Magdelena de Bry. He was the father of Matthaeus the Younger and the celebrated naturalist and artist, Maria Sibylla Merian. He took over De Bry's published house upon his death in 1623, and became particularly noted for his town views due to their artistry and accuracy.