Graftombe voor Matthias Hovius, aartsbisschop van Mechelen before 1752

David Coster made this print, "Graftombe voor Matthias Hovius, aartsbisschop van Mechelen" or "Tomb for Matthias Hovius, Archbishop of Mechelen" sometime in the early 18th century. Hovius led the Catholic Archdiocese of Mechelen during a period of religious and political conflict in the region. This print exemplifies the Baroque era's preoccupation with death and spiritual transcendence. Hovius is idealized in repose, his likeness framed by symbols of mortality and ecclesiastical authority. The winged skull perched atop the tomb serves as a stark memento mori, reminding viewers of life’s fleeting nature. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and memorializing figures of power during the 17th and 18th centuries. This image invites us to reflect on the intersection of faith, power, and mortality, and the ways in which these themes are manifested in both art and life.