From mural to ballet – The Dance of Death in Basel

The Basel Dance of Death powerfully demonstrates that death affects everyone – regardless of origin, age, wealth or social status. The famous cycle of paintings, which once adorned the cemetery wall of the Predigerkirche, survives today only in fragments and is on display at the Basel Historical Museum. The depictions offer an insight into the religious beliefs and society of the late Middle Ages.

As part of the programme, pupils learn about the history of the Basel Dance of Death and examine individual depictions in depth. Together, they discuss what a Dance of Death might look like today – and which social issues and figures would feature in it.