XVIII Quaet toeverlaet 1614

"XVIII Quaet toeverlaet," a 1614 engraving by Roemer Visscher, depicts a man drowning in a river. The scene is part of a larger series, "Het Derde Schock," which explores the folly of relying on others. Visscher’s detailed etching captures the man's desperate struggle and the indifference of the surrounding landscape, highlighting the theme of human vulnerability in the face of nature's power. The artwork exemplifies Visscher's mastery of the engraving technique, using intricate lines to evoke the texture of water and the man's body. This print, now held in the Rijksmuseum, is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of self-reliance.