Poort tot begraafplaats bij de Zuiderkerk 1631

"Poort tot begraafplaats bij de Zuiderkerk" (Gate to the Cemetery at the Zuiderkerk), a 1631 engraving by an anonymous artist, showcases a detailed architectural design for a gate leading to a cemetery. The engraving, now held in the Rijksmuseum, emphasizes the ornate details of the gate, featuring a pediment topped with a skull, a scroll with the inscription "Memento Mori", and a collection of tools symbolizing mortality. The central arch, framed by ornate columns, provides a visual gateway, reinforcing the theme of passage into the afterlife. This engraving is a testament to the Dutch fascination with death and its visual representation during the Golden Age.