De advocaat en de Dood c. 1680

Wenceslaus Hollar etched "The Lawyer and Death," in the 17th century, a memento mori encapsulating our inevitable fate. The central image is a skeleton—an icon of death—taking an advocate's hand, while another figure waits in the background. The Danse Macabre, a medieval allegory reminding us that death comes for all, regardless of status or wealth, echoes here. Across time, the skeleton has emerged as a powerful symbol, from ancient Egyptian funerary art to modern-day political cartoons. Note the emotional depth of the image, capturing a stark moment of realization and the futility of earthly pursuits. The advocate’s acceptance of death reminds us of our mortality and the fleeting nature of human life. It’s a poignant reflection on the psychological impact of confronting mortality and the ephemeral quality of human existence. These cyclical returns of symbols speak to the persistence of cultural memory and the subconscious.