Non met een getijdenboek in de hand 1789

This engraving, made by Reinier Vinkeles, depicts a nun with a prayer book. Dominating the scene are symbols of mortality and faith: a skull, a crucifix, and a book of hours. The skull, a memento mori, urges reflection on life's brevity, a stark contrast to the eternal promise of the crucifix. The juxtaposition of the skull and crucifix echoes through centuries, appearing in vanitas paintings and even ancient Roman funerary art. The skull reminds us that earthly life is fleeting. Yet, beside it, the crucifix offers solace, a bridge to transcendence. This visual language speaks to our deepest fears and hopes. It embodies a cultural memory of death and resurrection, an emotional push and pull engaging us in a dialogue about our own existence. Like a recurring dream, the skull resurfaces in varied contexts, each time provoking contemplation on our mortality. Here, it emphasizes not just death, but the nun's spiritual commitment, as she immerses herself in prayer. These symbols transcend time, echoing through generations, and touching on our shared subconscious understanding of life, death, and the eternal.