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Johann Theodor de Bry

The Triumph of Death

1580/1600
Engraving in black on ivory laid paper
6.9 × 27.9 cm (2.7 × 11 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Bry’s miniscule engraved frieze copies and reverses a much larger woodcut by Erhard Schön of 1532. It shows the sizable baggage trains that would have followed Landsknecht companies on their campaigns. The artist preserved every detailed element, incorporating the soldiers’ flamboyant outfits, their downtrodden wives and other camp followers, and exotic prisoners and their camel. Death brings up the rear on a pale, haggard horse, marking the end to all things.

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