Epitaaf met leeg medaillon before 1641

Jean Lenfant created this print, “Epitaaf met leeg medaillon,” featuring an empty medallion, likely intended for a portrait of the deceased, flanked by cherubs and draped with heavy fabric. Below, a skull surrounded by a wreath sits prominently, a stark reminder of mortality. The skull, or memento mori, has a long history. We see it in ancient Roman art, and it frequently appears in medieval and Renaissance painting as a symbol of death's inevitability. In this context, the skull is not merely a morbid symbol but a call to reflect on the transience of life and the importance of spiritual preparation. Consider how such symbols tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, yet also offer a form of solace. The cherubs, commonly seen in both religious and secular art, offer comfort, while the empty medallion invites a moment of contemplation. These motifs are constantly reborn, adapting to new eras, each time stirring our collective memory and subconscious understanding of life, death, and legacy.