Self-portrait with Skull c. 1645

Karel Slabbaert's "Self-portrait with Skull" is a powerful oil painting that exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age's fascination with mortality. The artist, dressed in elaborate attire, gazes directly at the viewer, while his right hand delicately rests on a human skull. This symbolic juxtaposition of life and death, a prevalent theme in 17th-century art, serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence. The skull, a memento mori, invites contemplation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The painting, now housed in the Städel Museum, is a testament to Slabbaert's skill and his profound engagement with the philosophical questions of his time.