Titelvignet met gekroond schedel en apen c. 1910

Bernard Willem Wierink made this title vignette with crowned skull and apes in pen in the late 19th or early 20th century. The muted palette gives a somber feel, and the cross-hatching creates texture and depth. You can almost feel the nib of the pen scratching across the paper. The skull at the center wears a crown, flanked by two solemn-looking apes. It’s a bit dark, a bit funny, and definitely thought-provoking. It seems to ask us, what does it mean to be human, and what do we value? The rectangular space in the center feels like an invitation to contemplate these questions for ourselves. This piece reminds me of the work of James Ensor, who also combined humor and the macabre to make us think about the human condition. What’s so compelling about this kind of image is the way it holds onto ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the work.