The dance of death

One of Holbein's first great triumphs, 'The Dance of Death' is an incomparable sequence of tiny woodcuts showing the folly of human greed and pride, with each image packed with drama, wit and horror as a skeleton mocks and terrifies everyone from the emperor to a ploughman.

Taking full advantage of the new literary culture of the early 16th century, it took an old medieval theme and made it new.

This edition reproduces a complete set from the British Museum, with many details highlighted and examples of other works in this grisly field.

Ulinka Rublack introduces the woodcuts with a remarkable essay on the late medieval danse macabre and the world Holbein lived in.