Des Pabst

(The Pope)

 

Der Todten-Tantz

Illustrated by an unidentified Renaissance artist

 

 

 

Complete Image

 

Single Greeting Card (with matching Envelope)

Code: GS TT3 SGC
Price: US$5.00

Image detail (for reference)

Reproduction on 8x12" sheet

Code: GS TT3 8x12
Price: US$30.00

Reproduction on 10x15" sheet

Code: GS TT3 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 Pope, this illustration is associated traditionally with the text

shown below.

 

 

Death to the Pope:

Come holy father, worthy man,

You must have the opening dance with me.

The indulgence will not help you against it,

(and neither will) the double cross and triple crown.

 

The Pope:

I was called holy on earth,

Next to God I had the highest position.

The indulgence has profited me quite well.

Now Death will not spare me.