"Danse Macabre ('Dance of Death') is an artistic genre of late-medieval allegory on the universality of death: no matter one's station in life, the Dance of Death unites all. The Danse Macabre
consists of the dead or personified Death summoning representatives
from all walks of life to dance along to the grave, typically with a
pope, emperor, king,
child, and laborer. They were produced to remind people of the
fragility of their lives and how vain were the glories of earthly life.
Its origins are postulated from illustrated sermon texts; the earliest
recorded visual scheme was a now lost mural in the Holy Innocents Cemetery in Paris dating from 1424–25." (Wikipedia)
One of the things I enjoy most about Renaissance Faires is the performing group, Northern California Danse Macabre. They are very sneaky about their "entrances" and "exits", and don't wander about the faires in their Danse Macabre costumes. Instead, they wear regular faire garb like everyone else most of the day, but before each of their performances, they slip one by one into one or more of the many encampments and hide in or behind the tent while they change into their DM costumes and makeup. Then they suddenly appear, seemingly out of nowhere, do their parade/dance through the faire without speaking to anyone (performances consist of period music on period instruments, no vocals), and then disappear into another tent or tents to change back into "normal" faire garb. Those who wish to join the group must find them in their hideout at one of the faires they attend in order to apply. I REALLY wanted to join them, but unfortunately we had to stop attending faires before I was able to do so. Below is a photo of them at one of the faires a few years ago, and here is a brief glimpse of their dancing and music (I found both on their website, linked above).
Here is a wonderful picture of the Danse Macabre that I found in an e-mail sent by the group awhile back. Unfortunately, no information was given on when, where or by whom it was created, so I have no idea if it is a medieval original or a well-done modern recreation. (UPDATE: Thanks to Little Gothic Horrors, here is a link!) Underneath is a poem found on the group's "business cards" (also on their website). Enjoy!
I find it both neat and appropriate that they continue this tradition at the faires today. I suspect that the original picture of the Danse Macabre you feature here is quite old. Sixteenth Century perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's a wonderful tradition!! I love Danse Macabre, and watch them whenever I have the opportunity! And 15th or 16th century sounds about right. Most of our Renn faires here are supposed to be set in 1562 or thereabouts, but I have no idea how historically accurate DM tries to be (or not, as the case may be).
DeleteTrying to comment with my new computer. Why don't you go to faires anymore?
ReplyDeleteYayyy, it worked! We stopped going because of two things: lack of funds to attend the farther away ones, which were our favorites, and my husband's physical condition, which has made it difficult, if not impossible, for him to maintain the warrior character he loves so much, not to mention the camping that we usually did to avoid having to pay for motel rooms. And an unofficial reason is that it was getting more and more PC and less and less "fun", if you know what I mean. Very sad, as we both miss it! Maybe someday we'll be able to do it again, but I won't hold my breath.
DeleteTra la la! It worked!
ReplyDeleteGuess this computer likes me! :-) And again, sorry for the ranting reply I left on YOUR post.
DeleteIn case you haven't read the novel, Neil Gaiman wrote a beautiful scene depicting his idea of the Danse Macabre in 'The Graveyard Book'. :)
ReplyDeleteI found some info on that picture. Nightwind was spot-on about the 16th century.
Deletehttp://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/334871
Thank you!! I don't know how you did that, I couldn't find anything at all.
DeleteAnd I REALLY want to read Gaiman's book, now even more so.
I've always loved those black and white drawings of dancing skeletons like the one they show next to their poem. Happy skeletons make me happy! :)
ReplyDeleteHeheheh... me, too! There's just something about dancing skeletons that makes you smile! Of course, ALL bones make ME happy, so I guess I'm too easy to please. ;-)
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