Who painted Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death?

Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death was painted by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1526.

Where can I see Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death?

Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death?

Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death?

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

Artwork

Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death

Hans Holbein the Younger , 1526

Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death is a print by the Renaissance artist Hans Holbein the Younger. It dates from 1526 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1929.146
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Dance of Death: The Trumpeters of Death is a woodcut print created by Hans Holbein the Younger around 1526. It is part of his Dance of Death series, a collection of images exploring mortality.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts skeletal figures playing musical instruments, including trumpets and a drum, in a church-like setting. The scene is meant to convey the universality of death, with the skeletons appearing to mock the living.

Technique & Style

Executed in a Northern Renaissance style, the black-and-white woodcut features bold, graphic imagery characteristic of Holbein's work. The use of simple, yet evocative, visual elements creates a powerful and haunting scene.

Context

The print reflects the cultural and religious upheavals of 16th-century Europe, a period marked by significant shifts in societal values and the rise of new artistic styles.