Death was painted by Abraham Bosse in 1636.

Where can I see Death?

Death is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Death?

Death is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Death?

Museum-quality prints of Death are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Death

Abraham Bosse , 1636

Death is an ink print by the Baroque artist Abraham Bosse. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in plate, in image, at lower left: ABosse inv. et fecit.; in plate, in image, at lower right: le Blond excud. avec Privilege.; in plate, below image, four columns of verses in French; verso: at lower right in graphite in later hand: 230
Markings: Marked:recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art

About this work

Overview

Created in 1636, Death is a print by French artist Abraham Bosse. Executed through a combination of etching and engraving on laid paper, the work exemplifies Bosse’s dedication to the graphic arts during the early modern period.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts an interior scene crowded with figures surrounding a bedridden, ill man. One attendant leans over the patient, another holds a candle, while a woman places a hand on her chest, suggesting grief. A small dog lies on the floor, and a low fire glows in the hearth, all contributing to a mood of tension and contemplation of mortality.

Technique & Style

Bosse employed fine, intersecting lines to model shadows and convey depth, a hallmark of his etching practice. The engraving adds crisp outlines that sharpen details such as the ornate wall carvings and the diamond‑pane window, while the laid paper surface enhances the textural quality of the print.

History & Provenance

The print emerged during Bosse’s prolific period in 17th‑century France, when he focused increasingly on printmaking as a means of disseminating visual ideas. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in several French collections of the era, reflecting its circulation among contemporary audiences.

Context

Death belongs to a broader tradition of genre scenes that address human vulnerability and the inevitability of death, themes common in post‑Reformation Europe. Bosse’s choice of a domestic setting aligns with his interest in everyday life, while the French inscription below the image underscores the moralizing tone typical of the period’s visual culture.