Oude man met schedel 1809 - 1837

This small etching by Pieter Bartholomeusz. Barbiers, held in the Rijksmuseum, features an old man with a skull. Instantly, the skull evokes 'memento mori', a meditation on mortality. This motif, echoing through time, appears in ancient Roman art, reminding triumphs of their eventual demise. The skull is often paired with saints and philosophers, like Saint Jerome in his study, as they contemplate life’s transient nature. The gesture of contemplation—the hand supporting the chin—is ancient. We see it in Rodin's "Thinker", a posture that reflects intellectual effort and inner turmoil. It reflects how humans respond to these visual symbols and the emotions they provoke. The image taps into our collective anxiety about death, compelling us to confront our own inevitable end. The skull, once a symbol of death, has been appropriated by subcultures, evolving into a symbol of rebellion. The image embodies a constant dialogue, a pendulum swinging between solemn reflection and rebellious defiance.