Who painted The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man?

The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man was painted by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1526.

Where can I see The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man?

The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man?

The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man?

Museum-quality prints of The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man

Hans Holbein the Younger , 1526

The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man 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.: 1922.501
Credit line: Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.

About this work

Overview

Hans Holbein the Younger's The Dance of Death: The Astrologer; The Rich Man (c. 1526) is a print from a series emphasizing death's universality, characteristic of the Northern Renaissance.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a richly attired man, holding a globe and gesturing upwards, being summoned by a skeleton. Surrounding skeletons engage in activities like music and holding a baby, underscoring the inescapability of death regardless of status or pursuits.

Technique & Style

Executed in black-and-white, the print showcases Holbein's Northern Renaissance style, blending detailed, symbolic imagery with moralistic themes, set against a backdrop of opulent architectural elements.

History & Provenance

Created around 1526 by the German-Swiss artist, this work reflects Holbein's versatility in printmaking, portraiture, religious art, and book design, with its satirical and moral undertones typical of his output.

Context

Emblematic of Renaissance themes, the piece aligns with the era's use of death as a motif to comment on mortality's equality, transcending wealth or knowledge.