Skelet met pijl en valkenier, temidden van dieren 1626

"Skelet met pijl en valkenier, temidden van dieren" is a 1626 engraving by Andries Stock, featuring a skeleton aiming an arrow towards a falconer on horseback. The image illustrates the inevitability of death, a common theme in Dutch art of the 17th century. The skeleton's presence amidst various animals, including a dog, a bull, a turkey, and a frog, highlights the universality of mortality. The inscription at the bottom adds to the symbolism: "He does not care about beauty or form, nor about strength or age, Death spares no one, it kills all things." Stock, known for his prints, effectively conveys a poignant message through the image.