De wereld c. 1758 - 1760

"De Wereld" ("The World") is an etching by Dutch artist Jeremias Wachsmuth created around 1758-1760. This detailed print depicts a classical allegory of time, featuring a figure of Father Time riding a winged horse, a scythe in hand, overlooking a labyrinthine circular path representing the cyclical nature of life and death. The scene is framed by a tree and the inscription "MUNDUS" suggests a broader theme of the world and its ephemeral nature. Wachsmuth's fine detail and skilled use of light and shadow contribute to the dramatic and thought-provoking nature of the work.