Skip to content

The Blind Man

Merian, Matthäus, 1696, Engraving
The Blind Man
The Blind Man
The Blind Man
Share
Category
Library Item
Item no
28461
Title
The Blind Man
Description
The blind man walks into Death's trap. Death cuts the guide dog's lead, and grabs the blind man's cane, without which it is clear that the man will step into his own grave. The verses printed with this image suggest that actually Death may have offered some relief to the blind man, who seems relieved that his difficult life is over. 'God be praised,' he says, 'that the hour is here', for poor, blind men have a hard time finding food; Death is almost sympathetic, noting the man's dejected state and 'miserable patched coat.' Thus, this image is intended as peculiar kind of comfort, and a reminder that the hardships of life are only temporary.
Artist / maker
Date
1696
Size
11.7 x 10.0 cm
Type
Location
Art and Design Library
Rights and purchasing
Required information
Media options