Allegorische waarschuwing tegen de onanie 1801

This allegorical etching against onanism was conceived by David-Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville. The image depicts a child lying prone, face pressed into a pillow, while the specter of death looms behind. Consider the figure of death here. This grim reaper, draped in a cloth adorned with stars, is a motif that echoes through art history—from medieval morality plays to Renaissance frescoes. The Danse Macabre, a medieval allegory of the universality of death, reminds us that death comes to all, regardless of status. Here, the artist conveys a moral warning on a deep, psychological level. The image engages our subconscious fears and anxieties about mortality, illustrating a cautionary message about health. Note how this cyclical progression of symbols in the image resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings throughout history.