Rad van Fortuin met de dood van de Zweedse koning Karel X Gustaaf, 1660 by Anonymous

Rad van Fortuin met de dood van de Zweedse koning Karel X Gustaaf, 1660 1660

comic strip sketch

pen drawing

mechanical pen drawing

pen illustration

pen sketch

old engraving style

ink line art

linework heavy

pen-ink sketch

pen work

This 17th-century print, "Rad van Fortuin met de dood van de Zweedse koning Karel X Gustaaf, 1660" (Wheel of Fortune with the Death of Swedish King Charles X Gustav), exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age's fascination with mortality and fate. Created by an anonymous artist, the image depicts a scene of mourning around the death of King Charles X Gustav, who died in 1660 while returning from a war with Denmark. The wheel of fortune, a common symbol of change and chance, dominates the print. Surrounding it are figures representing different aspects of the world. This piece reflects the complex political climate of the time and the power of the monarchy. The print is a reminder that even the most powerful individuals are subject to the vagaries of life and death.