Auch ein Todtentanz V
1849
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Alfred Rethel
Alfred Rethel (1816–1859) was a German artist, born in Aachen.
See the richer artist page1849
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Auch ein Todtentanz V is a 1849 ink by Alfred Rethel, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This chaotic scene is packed with twisted, shadowy figures tangled together. Some stand tall, holding poles or weapons, while others sprawl on the ground like tangled roots. The lines are thick and scratchy, making everything look rough and urgent. There’s a mix of faces—some screaming, some staring blankly—as if caught in a nightmare. The title hints this is part of a series about death, but the details are left to your imagination. The artist used tiny, overlapping lines to build up dark shapes, making the whole thing feel crowded and intense. Next, check out engraving to see how this scratchy style works.
Alfred Rethel (1816–1859) was a German artist, born in Aachen.
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