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Der Tod als Freund (Death as a Friend)

Alfred Rethel

1851

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Der Tod als Freund (Death as a Friend) is a 1851 ink by Alfred Rethel, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Alfred Rethel
When & what style?: 1851 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This woodcut shows a spooky night scene with three figures. On the left, a tall skeleton leans on a staff, looking calm. In the middle, another skeleton sits at a table with a candle and a book. To the right, a hunched person in robes stares at the skeleton, holding a pipe. The background has dark, tangled trees and a moonlit sky. The title *Der Tod als Freund* means "Death as a Friend," suggesting the skeletons aren’t just scary—they’re oddly friendly. The artist used sharp lines and shadows to make it feel eerie but detailed. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like Rethel carved these deep, dramatic lines.