Skeleton Dancing Near an Open Grave

Gesina ter Borch (1631-1690), black chalk, c. 1656 | red chalk, over a sketch in black chalk, c. 1656

Death features regularly in Gesina ter Borch’s work. The lower sketch is a study for her watercolour drawing in the Konstboek (Art Book), in which Death hastens to claim the life of a little girl. Her outline is vaguely visible in the sketch. Next to the finished drawing in the album Ter Borch pasted a sheet with aphorisms about the transience of earthly existence.

  • Artwork typedrawing
  • Object numberRP-T-00-59
  • Dimensionsheight 155 mm x width 202 mm
  • Physical characteristicsrood krijt over sporen van zwart krijt