William Holbrook Beard, Power of Death, c. 1889–90

The figure of Death tightly grips the neck of the thrashing tiger in its arms. Images of Death calmly walking in and taking a life are common, but here Death has the same dynamic pose as the spread-eagle tiger. Death’s foot mounts an elephant, indicating its total victory over the giant beast. We see other large predators slewn in the background; Death overcomes even the mightiest in the end.