Totentanz Series: Death Mowing down Russian Refugees Obverse

Following the colossal Russian defeat at the Battle of Tannenberg (see no. 5), the Eastern front devolved into a massive war of attrition in which Russian losses by mid-1915 amounted to nearly 1.4 million casualties. On the home front, the situation worsened as food prices soared, and refugees sought safety. The riots and political unrest that followed eventually led to civil war and Nicholas II’s abdication in March 1917.

Death wearing a Russian fur cap, holding a scythe over a crowd of refugees; .VÄTERCHEN.—SORGT. FÜR. DIE. SEINEN. (“the little father cares for his people”)