Death and the Foot Soldier c. 1525 - 1530

Jacob Binck’s “Death and the Foot Soldier” (c. 1525-1530) is a powerful, small-scale engraving that explores the inevitability of death. The skeletal figure of Death, with exposed ribs and a decaying jaw, grabs the foot of a soldier, emphasizing the fragility of life even in the face of military might. The soldier, clad in armor and a cloak, struggles against Death’s grasp, signifying the futility of resisting mortality. This poignant image, crafted during a turbulent period of European history, serves as a reminder of the common fate that unites us all.