Man wordt door de dood gehaald 1609

This engraving, "Man wordt door de dood gehaald" (Man is taken by death), created by Willem van Swanenburg in 1609, depicts the inevitability of death. It features Death, a skeletal figure, approaching a wealthy man surrounded by earthly possessions. The man is taken by surprise and seems to be reaching out to a woman, possibly representing hope, who appears helpless to intervene. The visual emphasis on worldly wealth, juxtaposed with the inescapable presence of Death, underscores the futility of material possessions in the face of mortality. This engraving, like many others from the period, serves as a reminder of the transience of life and the importance of spiritual preparedness.