Engulfed in flames

Skull with Cigarette by Van Gogh has become a classic image - many a college dorm wall has been adorned with posters of this strange figure. It is believed that Vincent painted this while in school in an anatomy class. Measuring 32 x 24.5 cm and oil on canvas, I can think of almost no other image that gives me a better chuckle. You may also recognize it from the cover of David Sedaris' most recent book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames.

Holbein's Dance of Death Alphabet

Last week I posted about Hans Holbein the Younger's Dance of Death. I feel like I left out a significant, and much acclaimed, section of the work - the Alphabet. Each letter measures only 2.5 x 2.5 cm, but is so full of detail that is even difficult to see in an enlargement. Below is a random sampling of some of the letters...

Dance of Death

Perhaps Hans Holbein the Younger's most well-known work of art is the Dance of Death. The group of 41 woodcuts was created in 1526, and published over a decade later. The chilling macabre images were revolutionary at the time - depicting death as an ever-present figure, intertwined with daily life.

I. The Creation

XXVI. The Physician

XXXV. The New-Married Lady