Hertogin en de Dood 1524 - 1538

"Hertogin en de Dood" (Duchess and Death), a 16th century woodcut by Hans Holbein the Younger, depicts a powerful, yet chilling scene. It shows a duchess seated in an ornate bedchamber, oblivious to a skeletal figure approaching her. The figure, Death, is personified as a gruesome reminder of mortality. This work is a prime example of Holbein's mastery of detail and his ability to capture the essence of human vulnerability and the inevitability of death, themes which resonated strongly with a 16th century audience. This woodcut, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, serves as a powerful meditation on life and death, reminding viewers of the transient nature of existence.