Danse Macabre Print, Solomon van Rusting, 1707, Death Dance Poster – Occult Skeleton Art – Gothic Medieval Decor – Satanic Witchcraft Illustration – Black Occult Print #106

This Danse Macabre Print by Solomon van Rusting (1707) is a rare and haunting example of early modern occult art, medieval death symbolism, and gothic esotericism. Known as the Dance of Death or Totentanz, this motif has been central in European art since the Middle Ages, reminding viewers that death spares no one, neither king nor peasant, priest nor soldier.

A Vision of Death’s Eternal Dance

This print is not just a decorative antique reproduction—it is a memento mori talisman, a visual sermon on mortality, fate, and the inevitability of the grave. Its stark lines and skeletal figures speak of vanitas philosophy, satanic imagery, and occult mystery, while also capturing the witchy, gothic aesthetic so sought after in modern esoteric decor.

What the Artwork Depicts

• Dancing Skeletons – At the heart of the composition are skeletal figures dancing in a grotesque procession. Each represents a human soul stripped of earthly vanity, now equalized in death. Their wild motion is both terrifying and mesmerizing.

• The Lord of Death – Above the dance, a crowned skeleton presides over the scene, symbolizing the dominion of death over all creation. It is both a tyrant and a liberator, a reminder that power and wealth mean nothing at the grave.

• Victims of Mortality – Noblemen, clergy, and commoners are depicted alongside the skeletal dancers, highlighting the universal reach of death. The proud and the humble, the innocent and the guilty—all are drawn into the eternal danse macabre.

• Textual Inscriptions – Below and around the imagery are verses in German, moralizing poetry typical of the period. These inscriptions were meant to warn, instruct, and remind: life is fleeting, and only the soul’s fate remains eternal.

• Occult Overtones – Beyond its Christian moralism, the imagery resonates with occult interpretations: skeletons as guardians of secret wisdom, the dance as a ritual of transformation, death as an initiatory passage into hidden realms.

Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning

• Memento Mori – The core message is mortality. The danse macabre urges us to remember that life is brief and fragile, and that death is the great equalizer.

• Vanitas Philosophy – Associated with alchemy and hermetic thought, vanitas teaches the futility of pride, wealth, and worldly pleasures. Only spiritual truth endures.

• The Skeleton as Teacher – In occult tradition, skeletons are not merely grim—they are initiators into mystery. To dance with death is to embrace transformation, destruction, and rebirth.

• Satanic & Witchcraft Aesthetics – In later interpretations, such images of the danse macabre became connected to witches’ sabbaths, demonic revels, and satanic rites, turning the medieval warning into a symbol of rebellion against divine law.

• Alchemy of Death – For alchemists, death is not an end but a necessary stage in the Magnum Opus. Putrefaction, decay, and the dance of skeletons signify the breaking down of matter before its transmutation into spirit.

Historical Context – Solomon van Rusting, 1707

The Danse Macabre motif originated in medieval plague years (14th–15th centuries), when mass death and social collapse inspired artists to depict the skeleton’s eternal dance. Solomon van Rusting’s 1707 version continues this legacy, transforming the old medieval theme into a baroque emblem of death’s universal power.

By the 18th century, such prints were cherished both as moral warnings and as mystical emblems, collected by theologians, philosophers, and later by occultists. Today, van Rusting’s work stands as both a historical document and a darkly beautiful piece of occult heritage.

Why Choose This Print?

• Authentic reproduction of a rare 1707 danse macabre engraving.

• Embodies occult symbolism, satanic imagery, and gothic vanitas philosophy.

• A perfect balance between historical authenticity and esoteric mystery.

• Ideal for gothic home decor, occult altars, ritual spaces, and witchy libraries.

• A unique gift for collectors of occult prints, medieval art, and death-themed illustrations.

Perfect For

• Collectors of gothic and occult art.

• Practitioners of witchcraft, Satanism, and esotericism.

• Students of alchemy, vanitas, and memento mori philosophy.

• Lovers of dark academia, medieval aesthetics, and macabre symbolism.

• Anyone seeking a haunting yet meaningful work of art for their interior.

A Symbolic Gateway

The Danse Macabre Print by Solomon van Rusting (1707) is more than an antique artwork—it is a portal into the philosophy of death, transformation, and occult mystery. It speaks across centuries, whispering the eternal truth: all must dance with death, and in that dance lies hidden wisdom.

👉 Bring this Death Dance Poster into your home, ritual chamber, or gothic study, and let it serve as a reminder of the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the occult secrets hidden within the grave.

Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide