The English Dance of Death: Thomas Rowlandson’s Scathing Memento Mori 1814-1816 – Design You Trust

The English Dance of Death: Thomas Rowlandson’s Scathing Memento Mori 1814-1816

1

The Danse Macabre probably arose in early 15th century Europe as a response to the widespread deaths caused by The Black Death plague. The English Dance of Death by Thomas Rowlandson was released in under-subscribed installments between 1814 and 1816.

A series of 96 hand-coloured engravings that gravitate between grotesque and humorous were perhaps more than a little ambitious, even for this pair, says Paul K, who had already achieved great popularity with their Dr. Syntax comical publications a few years earlier. The remainedered subscriptions were bound in 2 volumes for general sale. There was a 3rd Dance of Life book issued later.

h/t: flashbak

2

Death, who never sleeps, uses his time to keep abreast of fashion and dreaming up new creative ways to die. This delights him no end, because Death is always smiling.

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Oh, Design You Trust,' our brand new Facebook page! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

Fabulous Vintage Photos Showing The Amazing Women’s Street Style From The 1920s
Simple Sheets Of Paper Get Transformed Into Amusing 3D Scenes
Hellboy, Evangelion, and Eight-Legged Mickey Mouse Mutant: Comic Art by James Harren
"Super Best Friends": Friendships Are Everywhere We Look!
Gustave Doré's Stunning Illustrations of François Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel
Crazy (Cool) Cat Men: Ridiculous Studio Photos Of Men Posing With Their Beloved Cats
These Beautiful Yet Terrifying Surreal Pictures By Erik Johansson Will Blow Your Mind
This Instagram Account Documents All The Strange And Funny Things That Kids Say
Dressed Cats: Postcards From The 1950's By Artist Eugen Hartung Published By Alfred Mainzer, Inc.
Artist Used AI To Find Out What Hollywood Legends Would Look Like In The Future
Toads, Witches and Satan: Superb Drawings by Bill Crisafi
Photoshop Turns Rock Climbing Photos Into Rock Worshiping Photos
Artist Jane Radstrom Creates Stunning Portrait Paintings With Photographic Effects
Let’s Make Famous Russian Portraits Smile
"Learning New Words": Educational Children’s Book Parody By Miriam Elia
Street Artists Painted The Facade Of Local Supermarket In Hamburg With A Retro-Futuristic Mural That Reflects On Our Relationship To Groceries
Vintage Found Photos of ’50s Young Girls in Swimsuits
Italian Artist Illustrates the Sad Truth of Modern Life
These Maps And Diagrams Will Help You Get Un-Lost
This Barbershop Will Give Kids A Discount If They Read
Japanese Artist Takes Away The Innocence From Disney Characters And Puts Them Into Wrong Scenarios
Here’s What Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Caligula And Others Would Look Like Today
Artist Brings Everyday Objects To Life With Smartphone And No Editing
Elegant Drawing Of Girls Wearing Dresses Made Of Real Flower Petals