The Grim Reaper
by John Telfer
Title
The Grim Reaper
Artist
John Telfer
Medium
Photograph
Description
FAA WATERCOLOR MARK DOES NOT APPEAR ON FINAL SALES
While attending a Scarefest called CarnEvil located in Old Bethpage, New York on the north shore of Long Island there were various people in costumes trying to scare visitors to the Haunted House along with various statues of Halloween. This particular photo was taken as we entered the Haunted House from the outside and stood high above the entrance way to the first door of the "Grim Reaper" The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood. It is also given the name of the Angel of Death (Malach HaMavet) or Devil of Death or the angel of dark and light stemming from the Bible and Talmudic lore. The Bible itself does not refer to "The Angel of Death"; there is, however, a reference to "Abaddon" (The Destroyer), an Angel who is known as the "The Angel of the Abyss". In Talmudic lore, he is characterized as archangel Samael.[1]
In some cases, the Grim Reaper can actually cause the victim's death,[2] leading to tales that he can be bribed, tricked, or outwitted in order to retain one's life, such as in the case of Sisyphus. Other beliefs hold that the Spectre of Death is only a psychopomp, serving to sever the last ties between the soul and the body and to guide the deceased to the next world without having any control over the fact of the victim's death. In many languages (including English), Death is personified in male form, while in others, it is perceived as a female character (for instance, in Slavic and Romance.
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April 17th, 2012
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