Dans van de Dood c. 1643 - 1687

"Dans van de Dood" or "Dance of Death" was made by Gesina ter Borch, an artist born in 17th century Netherlands, who worked in watercolor. Coming from a well-to-do family, ter Borch was able to develop her artistic skills, despite the limitations placed on women during that era. The piece offers insight into the cultural anxieties surrounding mortality. The “Dance of Death” motif was common during times of widespread disease and social upheaval. In this watercolor, ter Borch portrays death as an omnipresent force, reminding viewers of the fragility of life. Here, death is a great leveler, who dances with people from all walks of life. The skeletons don't discriminate between the child, the rich and the poor. It serves as a powerful reminder of the universality of death. This piece resonates with the personal and collective experiences of loss, inviting us to contemplate the meaning of life in the face of our inevitable end.