Who painted The Skeletons?

The Skeletons was painted by Marco Dente in 1518.

Where can I see The Skeletons?

The Skeletons is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Skeletons?

The Skeletons is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Skeletons?

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

Artwork

The Skeletons

Marco Dente , 1518

The Skeletons is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Marco Dente. It dates from 1518 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper left in plate [on wall]: R; lower center in plate: Nic Van Aelst.; lower right in plate: Ant. Sal. exc.; by later hand, along lower margin, in transparent script: And he said unto me, [Son of man,] can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. [Ezekiel 37:14]; by later hand, center verso, in graphite: les squelettes / Marco da Ravenna apres Baccio Bandinelli / Bartsch 425; by later hand, lower left verso, in graphite: Maco Dente (da Ravenna) / B. 425 . Ngl. Mon. IV pag. 998 Ill. 7-III / Früjar Abdr. von [Entpflasfürtig?] der Edr. v, Aelsts; by later hand, lower right verso, in blue pencil: 1491

About this work

Overview

The Skeletons is an engraving on laid paper created by Marco Dente around 1518 in Rome, exemplifying the city's early 16th-century reproductive printmaking practices.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a macabre, crowded scene of skeletal figures alongside living individuals in a rocky, textured background. The mix of poses, expressions, and interactions (including a guiding skeleton) conveys a dramatic, emotive narrative, though its specific interpretation remains open.

Technique & Style

Dente employed fine linework, sharp lines, and shading to achieve depth and drama, characteristic of Renaissance printmaking's expressive tendencies. The style reflects the influence of sculptural restorations on his work.

History & Provenance

Marco Dente, a Ravenna native, created the work within Marcantonio Raimondi’s influential circle in Rome. Dente’s life was cut short during the Sack of Rome in 1527.

Context

The Skeletons aligns with the broader Renaissance fascination with mortality and the emotional potency of art. Its themes and techniques place it within the artistic currents of early 16th-century Rome.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of The Skeletons on subsequent art movements are not prominently documented, it remains a notable example of early 16th-century Roman printmaking practices and Dente’s contribution to the genre.