Arkivism
Skeleton of the lover in a display case and chalice from which flowers grow
Public domain

Skeleton of the lover in a display case and chalice from which flowers grow

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki · 1779 · etching; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The scene on the left is based on 'Die Büßende. Ballade'. A castle lord shows his guest a skeleton in a display case. These are the remains of the lover of his wife, whom he has murdered himself. The skull of the skeleton is missing. His wife, who is playing a stringed instrument with a shaved head, is forced to use it as a drinking cup. The scene on the right is based on 'Der Wahre Traum. Eine Ballade'. In a dream, the narrator is led by a knight to a tomb. On it stands a silver cup from which flowers begin to grow as soon as the narrator picks it up. Numbered: III and IV.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineSkelet van de minnaar in een vitrinekast en kelk waaruit bloemen groeien. 1779. Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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