
Read the visual description
The image is a black and white illustration seen from a side perspective. A skeleton in loose attire and a wide-brimmed hat rides a horse energetically across a path lined with rocks and vegetation. The skeleton holds a scythe over its shoulder. The horse is also in motion. A woman with a rake stands at the edge of the path. In the background, two cathedral towers and smokestacks emitting smoke rise above the buildings against a cloudy sky. The style is detailed with precise linework, resembling woodcut or engraving techniques.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Auch ein Todtentanz II
Alfred Rethel
- Date
- 1849
- Medium
- wood engraving
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1971.28.7
- 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
- bird
- animal
- Death
- Horse
- Water
- Building
NGA object ID 52480. 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.