Doodshoofdvlinder in de stadia rups en vlinder 1836 - 1912

Isaac Weissenbruch created this print of a death's-head hawkmoth in the stages of caterpillar and moth at an unknown date. It now resides in the Rijksmuseum. This depiction of the moth references cultural meanings associated with this insect throughout history and in different countries. Its common name, death’s-head, comes from the skull-shaped pattern on the back of the moth’s thorax. In some cultures, this led to the moth being regarded as an omen of death, war, or disease. The Netherlands, where Weissenbruch created this image, was no exception. This is significant because in the visual arts, objects and figures often symbolize ideas, concepts, or emotions. The moth's skull-like marking can be linked to the vanitas tradition, common in Dutch Golden Age painting, which employed symbols of mortality to encourage reflection on life's transience. Historical research using sources from folklore, literature, and art history can help us better understand how cultural beliefs and artistic traditions shape the meaning and interpretation of art objects like this one.