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The site was created and is run
by Dan Norder,
who is a recognized expert in cultural beliefs from around the
world and a member of the American
Folklore Society.
The MythologyWeb name
and logo are trademarks and cannot be used without permission.
The text on this page is copyright 1999 by Dan Norder for MythologyWeb
and cannot be reproduced in any way without prior written authorization.
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Grim Reaper pictures
By Dan Norder, ©1999, all rights
reserved.
This first picture is a closeup of a typical grim reaper
figure. It holds a scythe and an hourglass while riding a black
horse. A black crow flies above. This particular reaper wears
a crown and could be thought of Death itself, while the other
skeletal beings can be considered helpers. There are two of these
other skeletons, both can be observed easier in the full version
of the engraving, which can be seen by clicking here
or on the thumbnail at right.
This is taken from Geoffroy Tory's Horae, which was
printed in Paris in 1525.
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This second picture is also by Geoffroy Tory. It is a closeup
of of an engraving from Horae in laudem beatissime virginis
Marie, printed in 1527 in Paris.
This version of Death is a bit different from the typical
depiction of the Grim Reaper. A rotting corpse with bird wings
that appear too small for the body steps over its victims (they
are visible in the full engraving by going here
or clicking on the thumbnail below right).
Instead of having an hourglass, this being carries a clock,
and the more typical scythe has been replaced by a large arrow
or spear.
Once again a crow is present observing the scene from above.
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This closeup shows Death sitting in a tree with an hourglass
and a bird, perhaps a crow. While not carrying a weapon of any
sort, scythe or otherwise, it is still an imposing figure as
it looks down at the individuals on the ground (visible in the
full image, found here or by
clicking the thumbnail). This was taken from a woodcut by Urs
Grafs, which, as you can see etched into the tree in the closeup,
was created in 1524.
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For more information on how the image of the Grim Reaper evolved
through time, see the article on Cronus:
Titan, Reaper, Father Time... Crow?
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