he miser seems to be more agitated over losing his money, than over being
visited by Death.
The hourglass has been set in front of him, and his candle has burned down.
Here, Holbein distinctly breaks with the old tradition: In
the dance of death in Basel, the miser also sits behind a table.
However, the blades of grass and the clods of earth show clearly that the scene takes place outdoor -
together with the other dancers. In Holbein's version, the miser has moved indoor,
but thick walls and double bars cannot keep this thief out.
Holbein's woodcut has inspired the dance of death in the chapel in Haselbach (picture to the right).
Variations: Birckmann has placed the hourglass in the recess on the wall. The recess is made taller.
Valvasor, Hollar and Deuchar copies Birckmann.
Birckmann also designs a hole in the floor (copied by Valvasor and Hollar) — maybe Death has dug his way up?
he miser seems to be more agitated over losing his money, than over being
visited by Death.
The hourglass has been set in front of him, and his candle has burned down.
Dances of death
Holbein