The dance of death: Death appears to the people in the inn and instigates them, the proletariat, to clear the throne to make way for communism. Drawing by or after E. Ille.

  • Ille, Eduard, 1823-1900.
Date:
1849
Reference:
32919i
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About this work

Description

As a 'diplomatic smock-wearer" (revolutionary), Death summons the people in a tavern to the struggle: Freedom calls them to the gunpowder fumes, the throne should be cleared to make way for Communism, power should be manifested through the guillotine, and anyone who submits is a dog

Publication/Creation

1849

Physical description

1 drawing on tracing paper : pencil ; image and border 24.8 x 34.8 cm

Lettering

Nicht zieht er jetzt, - wie hier zu schau'n, - als Sensenman̄ durch unsre Gau'n; als Diplomat'scher Blousenmann, spricht er das Volk im Wirthshaus an: "Auf, Proletarier! Auf! Zum Kampf! Die Freiheit winkt aus Pulverdampf! Macht leer den Thron im Siegeslauf, und setzt den Communismus d'rauf! Gebt euer Recht durch's Fallbeil kund! Wer nachgiebt, Bürger, ist ein Hund!!" Bears number bottom center : I (composed of two downstrokes, resembling II).

Creator/production credits

The attribution to Eduard Ille arises from his signature on one of six drawings (not the present drawings) of his set 'Noch ein Todtentanz' offered for sale by Reiss & Sohn, Königstein im Taunus, in 2005

References note

Dietrich Grünewald, 'Der Totentanz bei Rethel, Ille und Schwarzkopf', in: Eckart Sackmann (ed.), Deutsche Comicforschung, 2009, 5: 21–32

Reference

Wellcome Collection 32919i

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