Skeletons Making Music

c. 1526

Hans Lützelburger

Associated Names
Hans Lützelburger

Artist, German, active 1517-1526

Hans Holbein the Younger

Artist After, German, 1497/1498 - 1543

The artwork is a detailed woodcut depicting a group of skeletons playing musical instruments in front of a backdrop of arched architecture. The scene is densely packed, with several skeletons positioned in the foreground and middle ground. They are playing various instruments, such as a trombone and drums. The skeletons are intricately rendered, showing bones and anatomical details with precision. The background features arches and columns. The entire composition is monochromatic, utilizing a series of fine lines and textures to create depth and detail.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.4847

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Passavant, no. 5

  • Series Title

    Dance of Death

More About this Artwork

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Artwork history & notes

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 A. Roosendaal, 1988: no. 99, 5.

Wikidata ID

Q64957288

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