Statue of monk standing next to man with large wound in abdomen, German
The label in German at the base of the statue records a conversation between Death (the skeleton) and a canon or choirmaster who is standing next to him.
Death says:
So canon, you have loud and long
Been chanting your choral song;
Now harken to my pipe so clear,
Announcing that your death is here
The canon replies:
Yes, I have sung as canon free
Full many a grave sweet melody;
But Death’s pipe such discord has made
That I’m sore, startled and afraid
This statue draws on illustrations from the ‘Dance of Death’ at Basel, a series of illustrations that first appeared in the 1400s. Other illustrations show the Pope, clergymen, rulers, blind men, peddlers and court jesters being led by the hand by Death, emphasising that regardless of social status or wealth no-one is exempt.
Details
- Category:
- Wellcome (general)
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A99720
- Materials:
- earthenware, ? material and wood
- Measurements:
-
overall: 120 mm x 90 mm x 30 mm, .12kg
- type:
- statue
- credit:
- Buel, O.