De mens op honderdjarige leeftijd 1569 - 1575

"De mens op honderdjarige leeftijd" was created by Gerard van Groeningen around 1563 to 1573. The print presents a scene framed by an elaborate oval border, teeming with symbols of mortality. The engraving is dominated by the figure of an elderly man on his deathbed, attended by figures who appear to be preparing him for his final journey. The composition uses the oval frame to compress the scene, creating a sense of claustrophobia that heightens the emotional impact. The fine lines of the engraving emphasize the detailed textures of the fabrics and skin, drawing attention to the materiality of the scene. The surrounding frame is adorned with skulls, bones, and other memento mori, which underscores the transience of life. The text inscribed at the bottom reinforces this theme, emphasizing the inevitability of death. Together, these elements form a complex semiotic system, reflecting on the period's preoccupation with death and salvation. It serves not only as a representation but also as a meditation on the human condition and the passage of time.