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Notes
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Death is depicted as a cadaverous figure in this moulded plaster statue. It grasps a reluctant choirmaster by one hand. In the printed German inscription beneath, Death says to the choirmaster, who is referred to as a canon: Mr. Canon, have you lead the singing; many sweet songs in your choir, then notice the sound of the fife. It announces to you the case of death The Canon replies; I sang as a free canon many voices and melodies. Death's fife sounds different; It has terrified me so much The skeletal figure luring mortals, often into the so-called ‘dance of death’ was common imagery throughout medieval Europe. It has its origins in the Black Death and other plague outbreaks of the 1400s and was often revitalised by the return of plague and other infectious disease.
Title
Death and the Canon
Date
1750–1870
Medium
plaster
Measurements
H 12.5 x W 8.5 x D 3 cm
Accession number
A654861
Acquisition method
on loan from Wellcome Trust
Work type
Statue
Inscription description
Printed German inscription: "Mr. Canon, have you lead the singing; many sweet songs in your choir, then notice the sound of the fife. It announces to you the case of death The Canon replies; I sang as a free canon many voices and melodies. Death's fife sounds different; It has terrified me so much"
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, Greater London SW7 2DD England
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