Der Tod als Erwürger (Death as a Strangler)
1851
ink
paper
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 page1851
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Der Tod als Erwürger (Death as a Strangler) is a 1851 ink by Alfred Rethel, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting, "Der Tod als Erwürger" (Death as a Strangler), depicts a somber scene. A hooded figure, likely Death, stands in a dimly lit room, grasping a rope or cord that appears to be choking a man sitting in a chair. The man's face is contorted in a mixture of pain and fear. The room is sparse, with a few pieces of furniture and a window in the background that lets in a sliver of light. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic contrast between light and dark, emphasizing the intensity of the scene. The figures are rendered in bold lines and dark shadows, giving the impression of a woodcut or engraving. To learn more about the artist's techniques, explore the world of engraving and cross-hatching.
Alfred Rethel (1816–1859) was a German artist, born in Aachen.
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