Portrait of a Young Man with a Skull c. 1519

Lucas van Leyden created this engraving, "Portrait of a Young Man with a Skull", in the early 16th century. The skull, prominently displayed, is a potent symbol, a memento mori, reminding us of the transience of life, a tradition rooted in antiquity and echoed through the ages. Consider the skull not merely as an object, but as a vessel carrying layers of meaning. We find this motif in ancient Roman art, often accompanying depictions of triumphs. Yet, its appearance here, cradled by a youthful figure, reflects a more intimate contemplation of mortality. The gesture of the young man, pointing towards the skull, evokes a dialogue, an invitation for us to reflect on our own existence. This recalls Hamlet's soliloquy, contemplating Yorick's skull – a moment of profound existential questioning. The skull evolves then from a mere symbol of death to a mirror reflecting the anxieties of being. It becomes a potent force, engaging us in a deep, subconscious level, a dialogue between life and its inevitable end.