Artwork
Dance of Death: Death Waits
Dance of Death: Death Waits 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
Dance of Death: Death Waits is a 1919 print by British artist Percy John Delf Smith. The work depicts a figure of Death poised in a waiting stance, reflecting the post‑World War I preoccupation with mortality. It is part of the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed among other early twentieth‑century prints.
Technique & Style
Executed in the graphic medium of printmaking, the image employs stark contrasts and simplified forms characteristic of Delf Smith’s approach to line work. The composition relies on bold outlines and limited tonal variation to convey a somber atmosphere, aligning the piece with the broader tradition of macabre allegorical prints that circulated in the aftermath of the war.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after the end of the First World War, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century. Its presence in the museum’s collection underscores the institution’s interest in works that document the cultural response to the conflict and the enduring motif of the danse macabre in modern art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Percy John Delf Smith was a British artist who worked in engraving, painting, lettering, calligraphy and book design.
