De abdis en de Dood c. 1680

Wenceslaus Hollar created this etching, "The Abbess and Death," sometime in the 17th century. It’s a powerful memento mori, reminding us of the inevitability of death, regardless of status or piety. Hollar, working in a period marked by religious and political upheaval, presents us with an abbess, rosary in hand, being led by a skeletal figure. The scene, set against a backdrop of ecclesiastical architecture, suggests the Church's omnipresence in daily life, yet offers no escape from mortality. The hourglass at Death's feet underscores the fleeting nature of time. Made in the Netherlands, where the Catholic and Protestant faiths were at odds, the image reflects a culture grappling with mortality. Hollar may be subtly commenting on the Church's role, or lack thereof, in confronting death. To fully appreciate this work, one should delve into the social history of the period, examining religious texts, medical treatises, and even funeral practices. Only then can we grasp the complex interplay between art, society, and the ever-present awareness of death in the 17th century.