Dead Child with Four Skulls 1515 - 1540

Barthel Beham’s “Dead Child with Four Skulls,” a 16th-century etching, is a stark reminder of mortality. The image depicts a young, nude child lying lifeless among four skulls, one positioned at the top and the other three at the bottom. An hourglass is subtly included in the upper left-hand corner of the etching, adding to the symbolism of the fleeting nature of life. Beham, a German Renaissance artist, used intricate detail in his etching to create a sense of realism and a morbidly beautiful image. This print is a powerful example of the memento mori genre, a popular artistic theme that reminds viewers of death's inevitability.