Titelvignet til Smollett "Peregrine Pickles Tildragelser" 1786

Georg Christian Schule created this title vignette for Smollett’s "Peregrine Pickle’s Tildragelser," using engraving techniques during the late 18th century. The image plunges us into a scene of stark contrast, as a group of figures huddle around a canopied bed, the central figure, seemingly lifeless, is held aloft. The figures surrounding him are rendered in a way that obscures their identities. The setting is dark, illuminated only by the candle that one of the figures is carrying. Engravings like these played a crucial role in disseminating literature and culture across different social strata. Schule, working within a European artistic tradition, was a product of the Enlightenment era. What we see is the transformation of social and cultural values around the representation of death and the body. Schule invites us to consider the emotional and social dimensions of human experience. Ultimately, this artwork reflects the societal shifts of its time while tapping into the timeless and deeply personal themes of mortality, and the human condition.