Jonge vrouw aangevallen door de Dood after 1493

This anonymous etching on paper depicts a young woman being attacked by death. It exemplifies the "memento mori" tradition, urging viewers to reflect on mortality. The image, likely made in the Netherlands, shows a well-dressed woman surprised by the skeletal figure of Death. The Dutch Republic in this period was a mercantile society, but faced constant threats from the sea, disease, and warfare. The presence of a ship in the background reminds us of the Netherlands' economic power, but also its vulnerability. Death's intrusion is a stark reminder that neither wealth nor youth can ward off the inevitable. Understanding this work requires exploring emblem books, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, which paired images with moralizing texts. Studying the cultural context through such sources reveals how art served as a tool for social and religious instruction. The Rijksmuseum itself plays a role in preserving and interpreting these cultural artifacts.