Artwork
Dance of Death: Death Awed
Dance of Death: Death Awed is a print by Percy John Delf Smith. It dates from 1919 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The composition is framed by a dramatic play of light and shadow, emphasizing the skeletal figure’s dominant presence.
Percy John Delf Smith’s 1919 print ‘Dance of Death: Death Awed’ is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The work presents a stark, monochromatic scene in which a towering, robed skeleton looms over a cluster of recumbent figures whose bodies appear half‑buried in an uneven terrain. The composition is framed by a dramatic play of light and shadow, emphasizing the skeletal figure’s dominant presence.
Subject & Meaning
The image draws on the medieval ‘Danse Macabre’ tradition, portraying death as a guiding force that confronts the living. The central skeleton, draped in a loose robe and hooded cloak, points downward with a bony finger, suggesting an invitation or summons toward the graves that surround the sleeping forms. The juxtaposition of the towering death figure with the vulnerable, inert bodies underscores the inevitability of mortality.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the work relies on stark chiaroscuro to heighten contrast between illuminated and shadowed areas. The artist’s line work defines the skeletal anatomy and the ragged texture of the ground, while the use of negative space accentuates the depth of the shallow graves. The overall aesthetic is austere, employing limited tonal variation to convey a somber, theatrical atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after World War I, the print reflects a period of widespread contemplation of death and loss. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s print and drawing collection, offering insight into early‑20th‑century printmaking and the enduring legacy of the Dance of Death motif.
Artist & collection
Artist
Percy John Delf Smith was a British artist who worked in engraving, painting, lettering, calligraphy and book design.
