The dance of death at Basel: death and the abbess. Lithograph by G. Danzer after H. Hess.

Reference:
30437i
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Description

These lithographs are derived from the dance of death frescos painted on the walls of the churchyard of the Dominican cloister in Basel. Executed between 1437 and 1441, these frescos were often altered and were finally removed in 1805 when damages could not be restored. Some of the wall fragments are preserved in the history museum in Basel

Publication/Creation

[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified]

Physical description

1 print : lithograph, printed with beige background ; image 16.9 x 13.1 cm

Lettering

Der Tod zur Aebtissin. Gnädige Frau Aebtissin rein! Wie habt ihr so ein Bäuchlein klein? Doch will ich euch das nicht verweisen, ich wollt mich eh in Finger beissen. Antwort der Aebtissin. Ich hab gelesen aus dem Pfalter in dem Chore vor dem Fronalter: nun will mich helffen hie kein Betten, ich muss dem Tod hie auch nachtretten. Bears number top right : No. 21.

References note

S. Cosacchi, Makabertanz; Der Totentanz in Kunst, Poesie und Brauchtum des Mittelalters, Meisenheim am Glan 1965, pp. 759-764, pp. 816-817
The Dance of Death at Basle, printed for C.F. Beck, Basle 1852

Reference

Wellcome Collection 30437i

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