Death and the Old Man, from the portfolio "Dance of Death" 1922

Editor: This is "Death and the Old Man" by Lovis Corinth, a haunting etching. It feels incredibly raw and personal. What’s your interpretation? Curator: Well, historically, the "Dance of Death" motif was a popular reminder of mortality, often commenting on social hierarchies. Corinth, however, seems to internalize it. Editor: Internalize it? How so? Curator: Notice the stark contrast and the rough lines. It's less a societal critique and more an intimate portrayal of aging and confrontation with one's own mortality, reflecting the anxieties of early 20th-century Europe. Editor: That's a fascinating point. I hadn't considered the personal anxiety aspect. Curator: The print medium itself, allowing for wider distribution, puts mortality in the public sphere, yet retains a profoundly individual quality. It encourages us to reflect on our relationship with death. Editor: I see what you mean! This gives me a lot to consider.