Edelman en de Dood 1650

Conrad Meyer made this etching called 'Edelman en de Dood' – or 'Nobleman and Death' – in the 17th century, and it speaks to the era's anxieties. The image depicts a nobleman being carried off by Death, represented as a skeleton. We can read this artwork as a ‘memento mori’, a reminder of the inevitability of death, regardless of social status. This theme was especially relevant in 17th-century Europe, marked by outbreaks of plague and constant warfare. Meyer was working in Switzerland, which although neutral, was not immune to the wider European turmoil. The print suggests a critique of the social hierarchy, reminding viewers that titles and wealth are meaningless in the face of mortality. The text beneath the image reinforces this message, questioning the value of lineage and possessions. To truly understand this piece, we can explore the history of Switzerland, the religious beliefs of the time, and the social structures that defined people's lives. Such research will help us to uncover the meaning and impact of this dramatic image.