With “Thanatos” the artist IRRLÆUFER creates a powerful, symbolically charged depiction of death beyond clichéd notions. The linocut print depicts a winged, muscular figure with bowed head and resting sword. It is not a moment of victory, but of contemplation: Thanatos, the ancient god of gentle death, stands before us not as a destroyer, but as a silent companion in the transition between life and death.

The composition is clear and monumental, the lines expressive and delicate at the same time. The deep black background reinforces the figure’s presence, while the golden halo—applied by hand—is a luminous contrast: a symbol of the dignity of dying, of transcendence and redemption.

Thanatos appears to watch over the head of a defeated being—is it guilt? The ego? The totality of its claimed souls? The interpretation remains open, but invites reflection on the relationship between power, transience, and inner peace.

“Thanatos” is more than a print—it is a silent memento that combines power, pain, and beauty. A work that doesn’t repress death, but rather confronts it with seriousness, depth, and aesthetic power.

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