The wax trader

Götz: Wax trader

Kruspe: Wax trader

The original painting, like most others, was done by Jakob Samuel Beck. In this case it's the grocer Gottfried Kluge from Breslau, who has sat for him, and who has sponsored the picture.

The merchant sits behind his desk. In the background of Kruspe's drawing (right) you can see two of his employees working inside an open warehouse. Death shows up and hands him a wax plate: "You need this wax", probably as wax candles at his funeral.

Scröer (who quotes Schellenberg, who quotes Pohle,) calls Death's garments "a Polish Jewish costume". This fits nicely with the merchant stating that he has bought wax from the Jews. In Götz' watercolour (above) the hat is very different.

Der Tod zum Wachshändler:
Mei, schau! Du brauchst dies Wachs, nur hurtig eingekauft!
Ob kein Profitchen gleich dabei mit unterläuft,
Leg deine Strazze weg, lass Andern deine Sachen,
Du musst beim Todtentanz gleich mit Parade machen.

Death to the Wax Trader
Oh, look! You need this wax, just quickly bought!
Maybe there is a little profit in the process,
Put your daybook down, let others have your things,
You must join the parade at the dance of death.

Der Wachshändler:
Ich kaufte Wachs, so mir die Juden zugebracht,
Doch an mein Leichenlicht hatt' ich noch nicht gedacht.
Der ungetaufte Tod bringt jetzt zum Leid und Schmerzen
Mir auch zu bald das Wachs zu meinen Leichen-Kerzen.

The Wax Trader
I bought wax that the Jews brought me,
but I hadn't yet thought about my funeral candle.
The unbaptized Death now brings suffering and pain,
also for me too soon the wax for my funeral candles.