Dance of Death

1904–05

Not on view

The themes of death and human suffering that permeate Roux’s work reached an apotheosis in "Danse Macabre" (Dance of Death), his most masterful series. Each print shows a different way in which Death could present itself during the decadent fin-de-siècle. These scenes of everyday life haunted by Death are bracketed by Adam and Eve ("those who created Death") and Christ ("He who conquered Death") revealing Roux’s fervent Catholicism.

Artwork Details

Title: Dance of Death
Artist: Marcel Roux (French, Bessenay 1878–1922 Chartres)
Date: 1904–05
Medium: Fifteen etchings in a printed portfolio
Dimensions: 23 5/8 × 18 1/2 in. (60 × 47 cm)
Sheet: 23 in. × 17 1/16 in. (58.4 × 43.3 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2018
Object Number: 2018.78.1–.15
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

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"A Descent into the Maelstrom" by Edgar Allan Poe

Multiple artists/makers

October 20, 1920

The Feast (Those Death prepares), Marcel Roux French, Etching — The Feast (Those Death prepares)
Marcel Roux
1905

Table of contents for the "Dance of Death", Marcel Roux French, Etching — Table of contents for the "Dance of Death"
Marcel Roux
1905

The Miserable Worker (Those whom Death crushes slowly), Marcel Roux French, Etching — The Miserable Worker (Those whom Death crushes slowly)
Marcel Roux
1905

The Child (Those who ignore Death), Marcel Roux French, Etching — The Child (Those who ignore Death)
Marcel Roux
1905

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