Empress, from the Dance of Death 1651 - 1800

"Empress, from the Dance of Death" is an etching by Wenceslaus Hollar, a prominent 17th-century artist. The artwork depicts an empress being led by Death, a skeletal figure, through a procession of figures. This scene, part of a larger series, explores the universality of death and its impact on all individuals, regardless of their social status. The detailed etching showcases Hollar's masterful skill in depicting the human form and the stark reality of mortality, making it a powerful reminder of the transience of life. The inscription at the bottom, "Gradientes in superbia patef DEVS humiliare," emphasizes the humbling effect of death on even the most powerful.