Death and the Maiden
Dublin Core
Title
Death and the Maiden
Creator
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951
Identifier
MH_031
Date
1999
Description
Turned and Carved Cherry Burl Pilgrim Vessel form. A deep vertical fissure separates the two carved figures. Lute-playing Death carved on one side, singing Maiden figure on verso. Watco and Minwax Oil finish.
Title references Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" string quartet.
Schubert wrote two pieces based on the poem by Matthias Claudius. (Schubert was introduced to the poems of Claudius by a friend, interestingly, one Anton Holzapfel.) The song (D531) and the string quartet (D810, written in 1817) are entitled “Der Tod und das Madchen.” It is an imaginary dialogue between Death and the Maiden. Death is a Romantic figure, symbolic of the consoling peace of death, death as sleep rather than the “Grim Reaper.” Death approaches the Maiden, who is initially frightened, but by the end of the song addresses him as ‘dear.’ She begs him ‘pass me by, do not touch me.’ But Death calms her, he praises her beauty, and explains that he ‘is not savage’ but has come to offer her eternal peace. Quotes Schubert: Death “is quite beautiful if only one gazes at him long enough, he’ll finally look entirely friendly.”
Schubert wrote two pieces based on the poem by Matthias Claudius. (Schubert was introduced to the poems of Claudius by a friend, interestingly, one Anton Holzapfel.) The song (D531) and the string quartet (D810, written in 1817) are entitled “Der Tod und das Madchen.” It is an imaginary dialogue between Death and the Maiden. Death is a Romantic figure, symbolic of the consoling peace of death, death as sleep rather than the “Grim Reaper.” Death approaches the Maiden, who is initially frightened, but by the end of the song addresses him as ‘dear.’ She begs him ‘pass me by, do not touch me.’ But Death calms her, he praises her beauty, and explains that he ‘is not savage’ but has come to offer her eternal peace. Quotes Schubert: Death “is quite beautiful if only one gazes at him long enough, he’ll finally look entirely friendly.”
Format
Cherry burl wood, 15 x 15 x 7 inches
Subject
Turning (Lathe work)
Wood sculpture, American
Women and the decorative arts
Carving (Decorative arts)
Art woodwork
Women artists--United States
Music in art
Schubert, Franz, 1797-1828. Tod und das Mädchen (Song)
Rights
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951-
Type
Studio Wood Art
Date Copyrighted
1999
Access Rights
Copyright © 2019 by Michelle Holzapfel
All rights reserved. No part of this archive may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, downloading, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please contact Michelle Holzapfel at mholzapfel1979@gmail.com for permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this archive may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, downloading, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please contact Michelle Holzapfel at mholzapfel1979@gmail.com for permission.
Is Referenced By
2004 “Wood Art Today: Furniture, Vessels, Sculpture”, Dona Z. Meilach. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN: 0-7643-1912-4 (hardback).
p. 228 and process images p. 229.
p. 228 and process images p. 229.
MH_292 1999 Artist’s Statement/Inventory for Solo Show “Bespoke Vessels”
Medium
Wood
Provenance
1999 Solo Show "Bespoke Vessels," Barry Friedman Gallery, NY. NY. Sold. Owner unknown.
Rights Holder
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951-
Owner: unknown
Owner: unknown
Files
Collection
Citation
Holzapfel, Michelle, 1951, “Death and the Maiden,” Michelle Holzapfel Archive, accessed May 17, 2024, https://michelleholzapfel.omeka.net/items/show/39.