The Death of the Rich Man 1615 - 1676

Abraham Bosse made this etching, "The Death of the Rich Man," in the 17th century, using a copper plate and acid. With this process, the image is incised into the metal, allowing for multiple impressions to be made – the printing press made this artwork available to a wide audience. Consider the material impact of this image; the etched lines create the scene of an elaborate bedchamber, where we see death visiting a wealthy man. Bosse's expert use of line renders the textures of fine fabrics, the play of light, and the expressions of grief and terror, all with incredible detail. The print medium itself speaks to the changing social context of the 17th century, and the growing merchant class, whose wealth is on full display in the etching. The printing press, like this scene of mortality, was a great leveler, giving rise to new forms of cultural and political exchange. Bosse’s technical virtuosity underscores how materials and making are always tied to broader currents of labor, politics, and consumption.