Die Heydin

(The Heathen's Wife)

 

Der Todten-Tantz

Illustrated by an unidentified Renaissance artist

 

 

 

Complete Image

 

Single Greeting Card (with matching Envelope)

Code: GS TT32 SGC
Price: US$5.00

Image detail (for reference)

Reproduction on 8x12" sheet

Code: GS TT32 8x12
Price: US$30.00

Reproduction on 10x15" sheet

Code: GS TT32 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 Heathen's Wife, this illustration is associated traditionally with

the text shown below.

 

 

Death to the Heathen's Wife:

I can, heatheness, fin and artfully,

Play a death-tune on the bagpipe,

That you must dance after like your husband.

Just call all your gods.

The Heathen's Wife:

June, Venus and also Pallas,

You Goddesses have mercy that,

I must die. Help me out of distress.

No blessing helps against Death.