Hora Mortis (Hour of Death) (in-text plate) from mock-up of Georg Heym: Umbra Vitae (Georg Heym: Shadow of Life)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing featuring a poem titled "HORA MORTIS" in German, which translates to "Hour of Death" in English. Below the text is an illustration depicting a somber scene in a graveyard. The drawing shows several hooded figures surrounded by crosses symbolizing graves. The figures are dressed in long garments, some are kneeling or sitting with their faces covered in mourning gestures. The contrast between black ink and light paper highlights the melancholic tone. The intricate illustration captures the sorrowful atmosphere with careful attention to detail in the figures' postures and the layout of crosses, representing deep reflection on mortality.