Last Danse Macabre 1809, 1921

During World War I, patriotism fed on losses as well—or indeed above all. Many believed that initiating negotiations would have made the sacrifices seem superfluous and would in fact have been a betrayal of the fallen. And so they continued fighting, allowing the World War I to become a human catastrophe. Albin Egger-Lienz (1868–1926) alternated between patriotic enthusiasm and radical opposition to the war. After the war ended, he created pictures that were expressive indictments of the war, including the fourth version of his Danse Macabre. The procession of peasants led by Death becomes a monumental symbol of mortality. While the last in line looks back wistfully, the others seem to follow Death more or less submissively, as if they were already doomed. In this painting, the themes of Egger-Lienz’s life converge. His works always revolved around questions of becoming and passing away, of this world and the hereafter, and of resignation to one’s fate in the circle of life.

SK, 2019