Omlijsting voor een kalender, 1645 1644 - 1645

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger created this print, “Framework for a Calendar,” in 1645, using etching and engraving. It was a time of religious and political upheaval in Europe following the Thirty Years' War. Notice how van de Passe's calendar integrates both classical and contemporary imagery, blending scenes of daily life with allegorical figures representing different months and philosophical concepts. Look at the juxtaposition of Democritus and Heraclitus, two ancient philosophers, at the bottom, representing opposing views of the world: one laughing, one weeping. The calendar does not shy away from the complexities of human existence. Consider also how the calendar functions as a tool for organizing time and life amidst uncertainty, offering a sense of control. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence, with its blend of celebration and somber reflection.