The Knight, from the Dance of Death 1651 - 1800

Wenceslaus Hollar etched this plate, *The Knight, from the Dance of Death*, sometime in the 17th century. Here, the grim reaper confronts a knight in full armor, a stark visualization of mortality's inescapable grip. Death, armed with a spear, defeats the knight who is protected with his armor and sword. The Danse Macabre motif was popular during the Late Middle Ages as a visual meditation on death. As seen here, it often portrays death as an animated skeleton leading people from all walks of life. This motif is not unique, however. As a symbol, the skeleton leading humans is eerily similar to ancient depictions of psychopomps, such as Hermes, who guides souls to the underworld. Consider the emotional undercurrent: death is personified, it is a reminder of life's fleeting nature and a stark memento mori. As this symbol transverses time, consider how collective memory can affect the meaning of the skeleton. Is it always negative? Perhaps it is a reminder to appreciate the present.