Et In Arcadia Ego

Tumor created in vitro from healthy cells harvested from my body.

The project aims to examine mortality and create a dialogue with and about cancer. The title references a painting by Poussin from 1637-38. The painting depicts four Classical shepherds discovering a stone monument within an idealised Tuscan landscape. The shepherds are reading the engraving Et in Arcadia Ego (“Even in paradise I am here”). The edifice is a tomb, and the first person ‘I’ who speaks through the inscription is Death.

Collaboration with Prof. Dr Hans Clevers