Epitaaf met inscriptie 'Omnes morimur et quas (...)' 1557

This print, made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, features an epitaph with the inscription 'Omnes morimur et quasi aquae dilabimur in terram', which translates to 'We all die and pour out into the earth like water'. Prints like this were produced in the Netherlands at a time when the printed image was a vital means of communication. As a relatively cheap and easily reproducible medium, prints allowed ideas to circulate and gain traction in society. In this case, the inscription creates meaning through its historical association with the bible, as it refers to a verse from the book of Kings. The Latin inscription reminds the viewer of the ever-present nature of death and the importance of Christian faith. Prints like this were collected in albums and were kept as memento mori. By studying who owned these albums and how they used them, we can learn more about the social and religious history of the time.