Plate Twelve of Triumph of Death, Triumph of Divinity, Triumph of Poverty 1780

Curator: This is Plate Twelve of Triumph of Death, Triumph of Divinity, Triumph of Poverty by Christian von Mechel. The print presents a rather stark visual. Editor: Indeed. The starkness really sets a somber tone, doesn't it? There is a real austerity to these images. Curator: Yes, it's the interplay of light and shadow that defines the forms. Von Mechel masterfully employs line to create depth and texture. The compositions, while small, are meticulously arranged. Editor: I see in them a commentary on mortality, especially how death permeates all aspects of life, regardless of status or circumstance. The presence of death in domestic scenes is particularly unsettling. Curator: True, but consider also the craftsmanship. Notice the engraving technique. Editor: Yes, but the choice of scenes…the artist is clearly engaging with the societal anxieties of his time. I find it compelling how the artist presents death as an equalizer. Curator: An interesting perspective! I had focused on the formal artistry. Editor: It's an artwork that rewards both approaches, I think.