3-061-732 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Dance of death. Death (in the form of a skeleton) dances in succession with people representing particular social ranks and takes away each in turn, demonstrating that nobody however exalted in this life, can escape death. Conversely, nobody, however humble in this life, is in the end worse off than the rich and mighty. Top left: Pope. The might of the Pope does not constrain death. Top row, second from left: Emperor. The head of the world defers to Death. Top row, second from right: King. The crowned head Death does not spare. Top row, right: Cardinal. The cardinal also I take away. Right, second from top: bishop, I lead them to the graveyard. Right: Duke. Whether you are lord or prince, to death you come in the end. Bottom row, right: in dukes and servants death has control. Bottom row, second from right: No noble blood protects from Death. Bottom row, left: The peasant/farmer also must [go] under Death's foot. Left, second from bottom: Beggar, warrior. Warrior, beggar, alike they halt here. Left, second from top: Children and fools alike belong in my kingdom. Upper central cartouche: The death of Christ has reduced death to nothing, and brought us back to life Lower central cartouche: Death and the eternal torture of hell are caused by sin alone.