XVII Postea nullus eris 1614

This is Plate XVII Postea nullus eris, an engraving by Roemer Visscher, made around the turn of the 17th century in the Netherlands. Visscher was part of a vibrant intellectual community in Amsterdam, deeply engaged in the socio-political issues of their time. This image is a page from a book of emblems and bears the Latin inscription: "Afterwards, you will be nothing". The text on the facing page, written in Dutch, emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's reputation and moral integrity. The print depicts a woman standing in a landscape. Her posture suggests defiance, and her clothing and the surrounding landscape reflect a fall from grace. This emblem speaks to the anxieties around female virtue and social standing of the time. It raises questions about the intersection of gender, reputation, and morality. It also explores themes of transience and the irreversible consequences of losing one's honor in a society deeply concerned with public image. What does it mean to lose your place in the world? What emotional weight did women carry under these social expectations?