Portret van Willem Canter 1604 - 1739

Philips Galle created this engraving of Willem Canter, a philosopher from Utrecht, and the work now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Note the prominent hourglass floating beside Canter’s head. An ancient symbol, the hourglass, or clepsydra as it was once known, has long been the emblem of mortality, and the passage of time. From medieval memento mori paintings to later vanitas still lifes, this motif is a reminder of our finite existence. But the symbol does not exist in a linear timeline; as we can see, it harkens back to earlier, more ancient uses of the hourglass as a symbol of moderation. This emblem gains new layers of meaning, reflecting not just death but also philosophical contemplation, as time becomes a precious, measured commodity for the studious. We recognize the psychological weight this image would have carried – the anxiety of time slipping away, coupled with the stoic acceptance of life’s transient nature. The hourglass continues to resurface, a testament to our enduring fascination with time’s relentless march.