.jpg)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Der Todten-Tantz The Dance of Death
Illustrated by Georg Scharffenberg and others
Der Todten-Tantz - translated as The Dance of Death (English) - including the illustrations of Georg Scharffenberg was a variation on a theme extending from the Medieval World and remaining popular throughout the Renaissance that followed into the present day.
The premise for the theme is simple enough and one that is undoubtedly just as relevant in the current times as it was throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, namely, the ever present specter of Death and the exploration of its role in moving people from this life to the next.
Following the masterful interpretation of the concept by Hans Holbein the Younger - his variant on the theme was published in 1538 - other artists turned their talents to producing suites of illustrations for print, including Scharffenberg (who prepared his illustrations in, or about 1576). The suite of illustrations from Scharffenberg and his fellow collaborators survives in the form of Der Todten-Tantz in which the wonderful illustrations are purported to be linked with the surviving text from the Medieval "Dance of Death" mural formerly located in one of Basle's Medieval churches (fragments of this mural can be seen today in Basle's Historical Museum [Historisches Museum Basel]).
It appears that the work of Scharffenberg and his fellow collaborators may have been originally prepared from the "Dance of Death" mural known to have been installed at the Dominican Convent in Basle. That attribution is drawn from the plate appearing within this suite of illustrations that reproduces the memorial dedication to the family of Hank Klauber and Barbara Hallerin that is known to have been added to the the Basle mural during its restoration some time after 1568. Klauber - reputedly an eminent painter at the time - was commissioned to undertake restoration work on the mural, in addition to adding a scene depicting Oecolampadius preaching in hommage to the recent Reformation. During that restoration activity, Klauber added depictions of himself, his wife and his son - in a style similar to the other elements of the mural (that image has subsequently become associated with the text identified as "Der Mahler").
In addition to Scharffenberg's monogram ("GS" and the associated stylised woodcutter's knife), other artists contributing to the memorial work - later to become associated with Basle's Der Todten-Tantz - are identified by the following monograms appearing within the suite: "D.R."; and "K". The monogram "D.R." is noted by Bartsch.
As published by the Mechel brothers, Die Todten-Tantz is a souvenir, of sorts, of Basle's medieval "Dance of Death" mural which, is promoted with the following words:
The Dance of Death, painted most skillfully, and in lively colours, in the very famous town of Basel, as a mirror of human life, and not to be looked at without admiration.
Many of the illustrations from Scharffenberg and his other collaborators are more appropriately linked with the traditional text associated with the suite of woodcuts produced by Holbein, and it is that text that we have associated, where appropriate, with each image from this suite highlighted within the Collection.
Some commentators have suggested that the illustrations produced by Scharffenberg and his co-contributors may be viewed as blending a variety of styles and themes pursued by other artists, including Holbein and Jobst Amman. In doing so, the illustrations bridge the gap between the earlier Medieval vision of Death as a malevolent interfering character and Holbein's attempts to reform the perception of Death to one of a willing guide for the travelling Soul. Thus, in Scharffenberg's version of 'The Blind Man', for example, Death is shown leading the Man by his cane (in the spirit of Holbein's work), in addition to actively cutting the leash to the guide dog with scissors (a reflection on the earlier Medieval tradition). In taking this approach, to some degree, Scharffenberg is inviting the viewer to consider the merits of an artistic counter- reformation - a fitting journey considering the time in which he lived.
Such a critique appears to have some merit, but it is also worth considering the reported comments of visitors to Basel, including Blainville, who wrote about the Dominican "Dance of Death". Douce (1833) described Blainville's detailed comment made after he viewed the mural in 1707:
He particularizes two of the most remarkable subject, namely, the fat jolly cook, whom Death seizes by the hand, carrying on his shoulder a spit with a capon ready larded, which he looks upon with a wishful eye, as if he regretted being obliged to set out before it was quite roasted. The other figure is that of the blind beggar led by his dog, whom Death snaps up with one hand, and with the other cuts the string by which the dog was tied to his master's arm.
Given the reported comments of Blainville, the suite of images published by the Mechel brothers may deserve recognition as a record of the great mural in its own right.
Our Greeting Cards and Reproduction Prints
When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-in plates - in homage to the hand-crafted approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century.
Hand-finishing is used to replicate the visual appearance of a tipped-in plate and the images are presented on Ivory card stock (in the case of colour illustrations) or White card stock (in the case of monotone illustrations) with an accompanying envelope. We have left the cards blank so that you may write your own personal message.
Should you wish to order a Reproduction Print or an individual Greeting Card from this suite of images, simply click on the illustration and you will be taken to a new screen where you may select from a variety of sizing options and organise payment through our Shopping Cart secured with PayPal. Of course, should you require a customised preparation, we welcome your contact through ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.
In the meantime, enjoy perusing these powerful images from the suite published as Der Todten-Tantz including designs by Scharffenberg and his fellow collaborators.
The plates from Der Todten-Tantz
|
|
%20(sample).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)