Et in Arcadia ego
Guercino · 1618
Why it's great
Two shepherds stop in front of a skull sitting on a stone block marked with the words Et in Arcadia ego, which means 'Even in Arcadia, I exist.' Guercino painted it in about 1618, and it is a reminder that death is there even in the happiest places.
Where to see it
📍 Galleria Nazionale d'Arte AnticaRome, Italy
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Guercino was an Italian painter born in Cento in 1591. His nickname means the squinter, and his big, dramatic altarpieces are full of motion and strong light. He died in Bologna in 1666.
