Man met een dode vrouw in zijn armen 1798

This etching by Reinier Vinkeles, created around the late 18th century, presents us with a man holding a deceased woman in his arms. The scene is lit by a figure holding what appears to be a lantern. Consider the motif of a figure cradling a dead or sleeping person. This powerful image is not new, but echoes in countless artworks across eras. Think of the pietà—the Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ. This scene also taps into our collective psyche, evoking themes of loss, protection, and the vulnerability of human life. The emotional weight of such images draws us in, triggering deep-seated feelings of empathy and mortality. The image of the Pietà, born in religious fervor, has since been secularized. This cyclical progression shows how potent symbols reappear, change, and take on new meanings across historical contexts.