''The Cardinal'' from "Der Todten-Tantz" ("The Dance of Death") [Spirit of the Ages]

Der Cardinal

(The Cardinal)

Der Todten-Tantz

Illustrated by an unidentified Renaissance artist

Complete Image

Single Greeting Card (with matching Envelope)

Code: GS TT8 SGC
Price: US$5.00

Image detail (for reference)

Reproduction on 8x12" sheet

Code: GS TT8 8x12
Price: US$30.00

Reproduction on 10x15" sheet

Code: GS TT8 10x15
Price: US$50.00

This image carries no discernable monogram to support attribution to a particular artist, but in the context of the

appearance in a consolidated work related to Basle's "Dance of Death" and the style of the woodblock from which

the print derives, it is possible that the design is by Scharffenberg. At the very least, it is reasonable to attribute it to

a German artist productive during the mid-16th Century.

Depicting the exchange between Death and the Cardinal, this illustration is associated traditionally with the text

shown below.

Death to the Cardinal:

Jump up with the red hat,

Mr Cardinal, the dance is good.

You have bleed may lay people well,

You must also now to the dance.

The Cardinal:

I was by Papal choice,

Cardinal in the Holy Church.

The world honoured me greatly,

Now I cannot ward off Death from me.