Die Bücher-Ornamentik Der Renaissance (Vol. I.) (page 3/4)

62b.—Initial capital letter “B” from Dance of Death Alphabet

This decorative initial letter “B”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features two skeletons, or death-figures, a dog and a pope. Some commentators say the dog is actually a demon, [...] [more...]

62c.—Initial capital letter “C” from Dance of Death Alphabet

This decorative initial letter “C”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. it features an emperor in the clutches of two skeletons, or Deaths, one of [...] [more...]

62d.—Initial capital letter “D” from Dance of Death Alphabet

This decorative initial letter “D”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a king thrown to the ground and [...] [more...]

62e.—Initial capital letter “E” from Dance of Death Alphabet

This decorative initial letter “E”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a skeleton, representing [...] [more...]

62f.—Initial capital letter “F” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “F”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. Two grinning skeletons, representing Death, are attacking an empress sitting in her throne; one of the [...] [more...]

62g.—Initial capital letter “G” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “G”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It shows two skeletons, or Death figures, siezing a queen; one skeleton plays the flute, or fife, [...] [more...]

62h.—Initial capital letter “H” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “H”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It depicts a skeleton, representing Death, dragging off a bishop. [more...]

62i.—Initial capital letter “I” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “I”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It is also used for “J.” It features a skeleton (Death) in the guise of an old woman, tugging at a man, a duke, with his [...] [more...]

62k.—Initial capital letter “K” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “K”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a skeleton representing Death, wearing a fur cap and mantle, and [...] [more...]

62l.—Initial capital letter “L” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “L”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It features a skeleton, representing Death, standing on the left, [...] [more...]

62m.—Initial capital letter “M” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “M”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It shows a doctor of physician in his study or laboratory, holding up a vessel. Behind him, Death (the skeleton) reaches for the doctor, with one bony hand on his shoulder and the other on the vessel. Or, possibly, Death [...] [more...]

62n.—Initial capital letter “N” from Dance of Death Alphabet.

This decorative initial letter “N”, or drop cap, is from an alphabet designed by Hans Holbein and dating from 1523. It shows a money-lender, or perhaps a miser, counting his money; two skeletons, representing Death, have arrived: one [...] [more...]