Man op sterfbed, zijn ziel wordt opgehaald door een engel 1696 - 1721

Curator: What strikes you about this print at first glance? It's titled "Man on Deathbed, His Soul Being Taken by an Angel," an engraving made sometime between 1696 and 1721, attributed to Jan Baptist Berterham. Editor: Well, it feels like a pivotal moment, dramatically rendered. There's such a strong contrast between the turmoil in the top right, almost demonic, and the serenity of the angels gathering to escort the soul upward. Sort of theatrical, wouldn't you say? Curator: Absolutely theatrical. The composition itself pulls from very specific visual traditions that aimed to depict the spiritual struggle for a soul's salvation. Notice the figure kneeling beside the bed? Editor: I do. There’s a tension there. Some figures seem peaceful, accepting, while others are reaching, imploring...it speaks volumes about our relationship to mortality, doesn't it? We cling to life, and perhaps rightfully so, but is it always the best course? Curator: Indeed. And those opposing forces fighting over the soul are classic Baroque imagery – heaven and hell in stark contrast. The iconography served a very clear purpose: to instruct the viewer, and perhaps offer them comfort—or a warning. Consider how the presence of the holy family with child signals themes of salvation and continuity. Editor: The detail is impressive for an engraving of this size. It has that wonderful baroque sense of drama. Even in the crosshatching you can feel the intensity of the moment, the uncertainty mingled with faith. Curator: The beauty of printmaking is the dissemination of such powerful images, beliefs made portable. This particular engraving encapsulates the fears and hopes surrounding death during that era, revealing lasting questions about human nature itself. Editor: Yes, it’s more than just an illustration; it’s a distillation of beliefs, a visual encapsulation of a cultural mindset about life, death, and the afterlife. Curator: Precisely, and that is what gives a small piece like this such resonance still. Editor: Right. So next time I'm nearing my demise, I should ensure that angels, and not demons, fill the waiting room. I suppose that comes from how I conduct my life now. That's food for thought.