Kluizenaar met doodskop 1625 - 1700

The etching "Kluizenaar met doodskop" (Hermit with Skull) from the 17th century, depicts a man with a long beard and a skull in his hand. The artist, who remains unknown, used a simple line drawing technique to capture the emotion of the man contemplating mortality. This work was likely made for a private collection and has been housed at the Rijksmuseum since the 19th century. The intimate size of the etching, only 132 mm high and 100 mm wide, further emphasizes the introspective nature of the subject.