The Old Man
This woodcut from Hans Holbein the Younger's "Danse Macabre" series depicts Death confronting an elderly man. The skeletal figure stands resolutely beside the frail human, symbolizing the inevitable end that awaits all, regardless of age or station.
The old man is shown with a stooped posture, frail limbs, and a weary expression, emphasizing the physical decay that often accompanies advanced age. Death, in contrast, is depicted as an active, inescapable presence. The surrounding elements, though minimal, often hint at the life the individual is leaving behind or the helplessness in the face of mortality.
Holbein's "Danse Macabre" was revolutionary for its time, presenting Death not just as a grim reaper, but as a social equalizer, a constant companion to all humanity. This particular image powerfully captures the vulnerability of old age and the ultimate surrender to the end of life.