Waggoner

About this work

This etching shows a chaotic scene with a skeletal figure in the center, half-buried and tangled in ropes. Around it, people struggle—some pull at the ropes, others look on. At the top and bottom, small cherubs hold skulls and hourglasses, framing the action like bookends. The whole image is packed into a heavy, ornate border with columns and tiny figures peeking out. The Latin text below, *"Corruit in curru suo,"* hints this isn’t just a random mess—it’s a warning about downfall. The mix of decay and drama fits the Baroque style’s love of big emotions and moral lessons. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Hollar carved these sharp, layered lines.