Sterfbed van Jozef 1725 - 1763

Johann Christoph Teucher created this print, titled *Sterfbed van Jozef*, which translates to *The Deathbed of Joseph*. Teucher worked in the 18th century, a period defined by the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and science, yet religious themes still permeated art and culture. This work depicts the death of Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus, attended by angels. It offers a glimpse into 18th-century perceptions of death and piety. The scene is highly sentimental, designed to evoke feelings of sorrow, reverence, and spiritual comfort. Joseph is presented as a figure of quiet dignity in his final moments. The traditional representation of death as a peaceful transition, surrounded by divine comfort, suggests a prevailing desire to find solace in faith during times of loss. It emphasizes the importance of religious devotion in the face of mortality, reflecting the complex interplay between faith and reason that characterized the 1700s. This print invites reflection on the values and beliefs that shaped people’s understanding of life, death, and the afterlife.