Dance of Death: The Old Man

1526

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Dance of Death: The Old Man 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

In this painting, a gaunt figure with a skull-like head and long bones grasps the arm of an elderly man, pulling him forward. The old man, dressed in a long coat and hat, looks down at the ground with a mixture of fear and resignation. He leans on a cane with his right hand, while his left hand is held by the skeletal figure. The scene is set against a backdrop of clouds and a body of water, with a few trees visible in the distance. The overall mood is one of mortality and the inevitability of death. This painting is a striking example of Renaissance art, and you can learn more about the style and techniques used by exploring the Renaissance movement.