Skull relic of Moissac
A 17th-century skull relic at Moissac Abbey, provided the inspiration for Skeleton / Self-portrait 22. This skull was meticulously decorated with engravings and scripture, an important element in the veneration of the patron saint of the abbey.

A powerful awareness of the human body
Unlike Moissac’s skull, in Skeleton / Self-portrait 22 I show what normally becomes visible only after death, a powerful awareness of who we are and what the human body is. Life is set in motion through a chain reaction. It must have started from nothing at some point. Humans construct their own bodies independently after conception, so I honour my parents.

The ‘unmoved mover’
The Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that there must have been something else, the ‘unmoved mover’. And I also honour my own creative power.

“I, Caspar Berger of Amsterdam, copied my skull thus in immortal silver at the age of forty-seven years.”