In deeze prent vind men 't vermeld / De dood van doctor Spring in Veld. 1787 - 1822

This print, made by Jan Hendrik de Lange, sometime before 1822, chronicles the demise of Doctor Spring in Veld. It offers a window into early 19th-century Dutch society, where even death became a public spectacle. The series of images narrates a cautionary tale, perhaps critiquing the medical practices of the time, or even the social behaviors surrounding death and mourning. I wonder about the unnamed doctor. Is his cause of death a reflection on the state of medicine, or is it a comment on the individual, and the choices he made in life? The images prompt reflection on our own attitudes toward mortality. These scenes aren't just historical documentation; they speak to enduring human experiences. They invite us to confront our own relationship with death. It's a reminder that even in the face of mortality, society continues to observe, comment, and perhaps even find a way to continue with life.