Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 817

"[Lot of 2 - Dance of Death]", Hollar, Wenceslaus

Subject: Miscellany

Period: 1816 (published)

Publication: The Dance of Death

Color: Hand Color

Size:
2 x 2.5 inches
5.1 x 6.4 cm
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Pair of copperplate engravings from this fascinating work based upon Holbein's original 15th century designs. Wenceslaus Hollar, a Bohemian etcher, created the copper plates for the original publication in 1647. The plates then disappeared until the late 18th century, when several editions from the "newly discovered" plates began to appear. These are from an edition published by J. Coxhead. Although the traditional Dance of Death goes back to the Middle Ages, Hans Holbein altered the medieval concept to show the omnipresence and universality of death. This pair features Death observing the Pope crowning the Emperor, and the Elector.

References:

Condition: A

Pencil descriptions in bottom margins.

Estimate: $150 - $200

Unsold

Closed on 12/3/2008

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