The Rich Man, from "The Dance of Death"

The Rich Man, from "The Dance of Death" by Hans Holbein the Younger, is an iconic example of Northern Renaissance graphic art, executed using the demanding woodcut technique between 1521 and 1538. Holbein’s celebrated series modernized the medieval Danse Macabre tradition during the Reformation, utilizing the emerging medium of prints to convey a powerful theological message about the universality of mortality and the futility of worldly power. The meticulous detail achieved in this small-scale image showcases Younger’s mastery, transforming simple line blocks into complex narrative illustrations.

In this specific scene, the wealthy subject, one of many men depicted in the cycle, is shown amidst the trappings of his affluence. The inclusion of abundant food and an overflowing money box emphasizes his life of material comfort and greed. He is violently interrupted by the figure of Death, portrayed as a relentless Skeleton wearing a flowing shroud. The composition is structured to emphasize the suddenness of judgment; the skeletal hand reaches out not only to pilfer coins but also to hold the hourglass aloft, signaling that the man’s limited time has conclusively expired. This stark juxtaposition of earthly indulgence against imminent, unavoidable Death serves as a potent moral warning characteristic of 16th-century piety.

Holbein’s influential sequence of images resonated deeply across Europe, ensuring his legacy as a foremost designer of book illustrations and relief prints. The effectiveness of the original woodcut blocks means that numerous impressions of the series survive today, many available in the public domain. This specific impression is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, providing crucial insight into the graphic output of the Renaissance period.