Vader Tijd te midden van gemakzuchtige mensen 1547 - 1591

This engraving, "Father Time Amongst the Lazy People," was created by the Flemish artist Gerard de Jode in the late 16th century. De Jode lived during a time of religious upheaval, with the rise of Protestantism challenging the Catholic Church. The engraving depicts Father Time with wings and a scythe as the central figure, towering over scenes of people indulging in earthly pleasures: music, feasts, and luxurious settings. Meanwhile, figures succumb to illness and death as they fall into hell. The work is an allegory, warning against the temptations of earthly life. The visual language of the piece reflects a society grappling with mortality and moral choices. It subtly critiques those who prioritize pleasure over piety, mirroring the tensions between earthly and spiritual realms in a society on the brink of transformation. De Jode’s work captures a moment in time when the choices made in life were believed to have eternal consequences. It is a call to embrace virtue and to be aware of the fleeting nature of earthly existence.