Letter C

c. 1523

Hans Lützelburger after Hans Holbein the Younger

Associated Names
Hans Lützelburger

Artist, German, active 1517-1526

Hans Holbein the Younger

Artist After, German, 1497/1498 - 1543

This is a drawing of a skeleton interacting with an elderly figure within a letter "Q". The scene depicts a bearded, robed figure being led by a skeleton, both intertwined in the loop of a large, capital "Q". The skeleton, with visible ribcage and skull, is shown in profile, grasping the figure's arm. The elderly figure appears to be looking downward, draped in flowing robes. The entire composition is detailed with fine lines. The drawing's square framing, crosshatching for shading, and dramatic subject matter give it the appearance of a scene from a medieval or Renaissance motif.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9413

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Passavant, Vol. III.373, no. 3

  • Series Title

    Alphabet of Death [1943.3.9411-9434]

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1933

  • An Exhibition of Prints from the Collection of Lessing J. Rosenwald, Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1933, no. 67.

1945

  • Prints from the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, IN, 1945, no. 34.

1965

  • Master Prints from the Rosenwald Collection, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, 1965, no. 47.

1974

  • Europe in Torment: 1450-1550, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI, 1974, no. 30, repro.

Bibliography

1860

  • Passavant, Johann David. Le peintre-graveur, contenant l'histoire de la gravure sur bois, sur metalet au buring jusque vers la fin du XVI siecle .... 6 vols. Leipzig: Rudolph Weigel, 1860-1864.

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts, ca. 1400-1700. Vol. XIV B. Roosendaal, 1988: no. 146.

Wikidata ID

Q65020634

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