This drawing depicts a skeletal figure on horseback in a city scene. The skeletal figure, wearing a cloak, rides a horse through a scene of destruction and death. The background shows smoke and crumbling buildings, suggesting devastation. Prone figures lie on the ground in the foreground. Strong contrasts of black and white emphasize the dramatic and eerie nature of the scene. The composition conveys a sense of doom and universality of death.
Read the visual description

This drawing depicts a skeletal figure on horseback in a city scene. The skeletal figure, wearing a cloak, rides a horse through a scene of destruction and death. The background shows smoke and crumbling buildings, suggesting devastation. Prone figures lie on the ground in the foreground. Strong contrasts of black and white emphasize the dramatic and eerie nature of the scene. The composition conveys a sense of doom and universality of death.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Auch ein Todtentanz VI

Alfred Rethel

Date
1849
Medium
wood engraving
Classification
Print
Accession number
1971.28.5
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
Auch ein Todtentanz aus dem Jahre 1848

Subjects and terms

  • German
  • Death
  • Horse
  • Sword
  • Building
  • Figures

NGA object ID 52478. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.