Opgebaard lichaam naast een zandloper 17th century

This small print, "Opgebaard lichaam naast een zandloper," or "Corpse next to an hourglass" was made anonymously using the technique of engraving. The stark black lines are the result of the artist carefully carving into a metal plate, likely copper, then inking the plate and pressing it onto paper. The material itself – metal – lends a precision and permanence to the image. Notice how every detail, from the folds of the shroud to the grains of sand within the hourglass, is rendered with exacting clarity. Engraving was a labor-intensive process, requiring immense skill and patience. The image underscores the inexorable passage of time and the fleeting nature of human existence. The labor involved in the print's creation mirrors the ceaseless march of time symbolized by the hourglass. The choice of engraving underscores the weight of the subject matter, challenging our notions of craft and fine art, reminding us that even the most seemingly humble materials can convey profound truths about life, death, and the human condition.