Dance of Death: The Merchant

1526

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Dance of Death: The Merchant is a 1526 by Hans Holbein the Younger, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Hans Holbein the Younger
When & what style?: 1526 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This image shows a scene from the Dance of Death series, titled "The Merchant." In the foreground, a merchant is being pulled away by Death, who is dressed in dark clothing and has a skeletal face. The merchant is wearing a cloak and appears to be resisting Death's grasp. In the background, there are several ships and buildings, which suggest a bustling port or market scene. The image is rendered in a detailed and realistic style, with intricate lines and shading that give the figures and objects a sense of depth and texture. The use of dark colors and dramatic lighting adds to the overall sense of drama and tension in the scene. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds to the overall sense of drama and tension in the scene.