Self-portrait with a Skull Possibly 1653 - 1654

This is Cornelis Visscher’s "Self-portrait with a Skull", made in the mid-17th century using pen and brown ink. Visscher was a Dutch Golden Age engraver. At twenty-four years of age, Visscher presents himself holding a skull. This was a period marked by the intersection of artistic expression and philosophical inquiry, where the exploration of mortality became a central theme. The image subtly challenges the traditional, masculine, heroic self-portrait. He does this not only through the inclusion of the skull – a memento mori – but also through the softness of his long, flowing hair and delicate features. As such, the artwork delicately negotiates conventional representations of masculinity. "Self-portrait with a Skull" serves not only as a study of the self, but also as an invitation to consider the transient nature of existence and the complexities inherent in defining identity.