A Friar and a Soldier, from Das Bossenbüchlein 1577 - 1587

This engraving, titled "A Friar and a Soldier," was created by Mathais Beitler between 1577 and 1587. The scene depicts a friar and a soldier standing in front of a grave in a landscape with a church and a tent in the background. The artist's monogram "MB" is visible in the lower center of the engraving, confirming the attribution. This artwork is a fine example of the intricate details and symbolic storytelling that was typical of engraving during this period, often featuring religious and secular themes. The friar and the soldier serve as contrasting figures, representing the spiritual and the secular worlds, which further emphasizes the theme of death and mortality.