De schilder en beeldhouwer 1675

This engraving, *De schilder en beeldhouwer*, was created by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli sometime between 1634 and 1718. Look closely at the composition and the crisp precision of the etched lines that define the artist figure and his studio. The artist, draped in classical garb, stands confidently between his painter's easel and sculpting stand, embodying both crafts. Notice how Mitelli uses line and form to express the dynamic tension between artistic creation and the looming presence of mortality. The busts and sculptures evoke classical ideals of beauty, yet the inclusion of the skeleton introduces a morbid contrast. It serves not only as a memento mori, but also perhaps as a challenge to the conventional aesthetics of the time. The arrangement of elements here isn't merely decorative; it's a semiotic statement. Through contrasting the idealized forms of art with the stark reminder of death, Mitelli destabilizes the concept of art as a timeless pursuit, suggesting its transience within the broader scope of human existence.