Death and the Physician Print, Hans Lutzelburger, c.1538, Dance of Death, Occult Print, Medieval Illustration, Vintage Skeleton Poster, Memento Mori Art, Macabre Home Decor, Danse Macabre #251

This Death and the Physician Print is a reproduction of a woodcut from the legendary Dance of Death (Totentanz), engraved by Hans Lutzelburger around 1538 and published posthumously in 1545. The scene shows Death confronting a learned physician, handing him a flask as a grim reminder that no amount of knowledge, science, or medicine can ward off mortality. With its sharp lines and haunting symbolism, this work is one of the most powerful examples of Renaissance Danse Macabre imagery.

Available as a fine art print on antiqued paper for a genuine historical feel, or on canvas for a bold Gothic presence. Delivered unframed, allowing you to select a frame that fits your occult, memento mori, or dark academic décor.

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A Vision of the Dance Macabre

The Dance of Death was a powerful allegory that spread across Europe in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, shaped by plague, famine, and the fragility of life. This particular woodcut emphasizes the futility of human pride in learning and the arts of healing: even physicians, surrounded by their books and instruments, cannot escape Death.

Hans Lutzelburger’s engraving style combines meticulous detail with striking drama, making the confrontation between the skeletal figure and the physician both chilling and unforgettable.

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What the Artwork Depicts

• Death with a Flask – presenting a potion as a mocking gesture of finality.

• The Physician – seated among books and instruments, powerless before mortality.

• An Elderly Patient – a reminder that time spares no one.

• Medieval-Renaissance Interior – bookshelves, vessels, and symbols of learning.

• Dog at Rest – small yet poignant symbol of loyalty and earthly life.

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Symbolism and Historical Meaning

• Memento Mori – reminder that death spares neither the wise nor the powerful.

• Limits of Medicine – even healers cannot escape their own end.

• Danse Macabre Theme – all ranks of society are drawn into death’s procession.

• Satire and Morality – irony in the physician’s learned setting.

• Occult Resonance – modern interpretation as an esoteric image of fate.

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Historical and Cultural Context

Hans Lutzelburger (d. 1526) was one of the great woodcut masters of the early 16th century, known for his work with Hans Holbein the Younger. His Dance of Death engravings were published posthumously in 1545 and quickly became iconic. These images reflect Renaissance humanism’s awareness of mortality and the transience of earthly power.

The Dance of Death series carried forward medieval allegory into the new age of print, ensuring that its haunting imagery would influence generations. Today, these prints are treasured both as works of art and as philosophical meditations on life and death.

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Why Choose This Print?

• Authentic reproduction of Hans Lutzelburger’s 16th-century woodcut.

• Classic Dance of Death imagery with Renaissance detail.

• Available on antiqued paper or canvas.

• Delivered unframed – easy to frame according to your style.

• Perfect for Gothic, occult, or academic collections.

• A rare cultural piece uniting Renaissance art with memento mori tradition.

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Perfect For

• Collectors of Renaissance and medieval prints.

• Enthusiasts of occult and esoteric art.

• Historians of plague-era Europe and symbolic allegory.

• Decorators of Gothic, dark academia, or mystical interiors.

• Unique gifts for admirers of skeleton art, memento mori, and macabre imagery.

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More Than Just a Death Print

This Death and the Physician Print (Hans Lutzelburger, c.1538) is more than an image — it is a Renaissance meditation on mortality. With its chilling skeleton, wise physician, and bitter irony, it bridges medieval allegory and humanist reflection. Displaying this artwork brings the spirit of the Dance of Death into your space, uniting art, philosophy, and the eternal reminder of life’s fragility.

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Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide