The dances of death, through the various stages of human life. Wherein the capriciousness of that tyrant is exhibited: in forty-six copperplates / [by D. Deuchar], done from the original designs ... by John Holbein in the Town-House at Basil. To which is prefixed, descriptions of each plate in French and English. With the Scripture text from which the designs were taken. [Ed. by James Bonar].

Date:
1803
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The dances of death, through the various stages of human life. Wherein the capriciousness of that tyrant is exhibited: in forty-six copperplates / [by D. Deuchar], done from the original designs ... by John Holbein in the Town-House at Basil. To which is prefixed, descriptions of each plate in French and English. With the Scripture text from which the designs were taken. [Ed. by James Bonar]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In the town of Basil he painted a picture of our Saviour’s Sufferings, as well as a Dance of Peasants. Abbe du Bos observes, that the altar-piece at Basil, painted by Holbein, may be compared with the best productions of Ra- phael's disciples for composition, and preferred to them with respect to colouring; that he shews a greater degree of know- ledge of the chiar.o-s.curo, and particular incidents of light that are truly marvellous. But that which contributed most to raise and establish the reputation of this celebrated Painter was Death’s Dance, designed and painted by him in the town-house of Basil; a work truly admirable, and w hich alone w as suffi- cient to render the name of Holbein immortal. Sandrart relates, that he heard Rubens acknowledge, that he had learned a great deal from the pictures of Death’s Dance; and he recommended them strongly to the study of many of his own profession. The learned Erasmus was so much struck by the wonderful display of genius exhibited in this great work, that he conceived a strong friendship for Holbein ; sat to him for his picture; and recommended him to Sir Thomas Moore, the then Lord Chan- cellor of England: and to this incident our country is indebted for the many excellent performances which it aftenvards received from the pencil of Holbein. The designs for Death’s Dance w ere cut in wood by Holbein, and published with the original texts from which they were taken; from that work the following plates were done. They contain the whole of Death’s Dance, with borders and decora- tions ; to which are added, a description of each plate in French and English, and a portrait of Holbein.