Kind in skelet van de Dood gekropen 1590 - 1624

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert’s “Kind in skelet van de Dood gekropen” (1590-1624) is a powerful etching depicting a human figure trapped within the ribcage of a skeletal figure. This visually striking artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, conveys a sense of impending doom. The skeletal figure’s hand, resting on its chin, underscores the inevitability of death, while the human figure’s desperate expression reinforces the tragedy of mortality. The stark contrast between the ethereal nature of the skeleton and the physicality of the human figure further emphasizes the theme of impermanence.