Portret van een onbekende man op zijn sterfbed, mogelijk Van Volxem 1897

Auguste Danse created this etching of an unknown man on his deathbed, possibly Van Volxem. This image, made in the late 19th century, exists within a cultural context where death was more present in daily life. Danse’s portrayal departs from traditional, heroic depictions of death. Instead, we see a raw, intimate moment, inviting contemplation on mortality. The identity of the deceased being uncertain allows the image to become universal, representing not just an individual death, but death itself. The soft, gentle lines of the etching, which appear almost blurred, evoke a dreamlike quality. This technique, combined with the subject matter, creates an emotional atmosphere, allowing the viewer to meditate on the fragility of life. This artwork encourages us to confront our feelings around loss and grief, and underscores the shared human experience of mortality.