"The King" from Hans Holbein the Younger's "The Dance of Death" series, circa 1523-1526. This woodcut depicts a king being led away by Death.
About the Image
Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
Series: The Dance of Death (Les simulachres & historie faces de la mort)
Date: First published in Lyon in 1538, though created earlier.
Medium: Originally executed as drawings, later famously reproduced as woodcuts by Hans Lützelburger.
Description: In this powerful depiction, Death, often appearing as a skeletal figure, confronts the King. The King, who represents earthly power and authority, is shown being stripped of his regalia and led to his inevitable end. This segment of the Danse Macabre serves as a stark reminder that death is the great equalizer, affecting all individuals regardless of their social status, wealth, or power. Holbein's intricate detail and grim symbolism explore themes of mortality, vanity, and the transience of life.