Five tombs containing skeletons of historical exemplars of wisdom, war, beauty, strength and riches; an allegory of change, decay and death. Engraving after A.P. van de Venne, ca. 1655.

  • Venne, Adriaen Pietersz. van de, 1589-1662.
Date:
1655
Reference:
26260i
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About this work

Publication/Creation

1655

Physical description

1 print : line engraving ; platemark 32.1 x 44.4 cm

Lettering

Sic transit gloria mundi. Mors ultima linea rerum ... Lettering on each of the five tombs. Top left: "Hier ligt K. Salomon des werelts wÿsheÿt". Bottom left: "Hier ligt Alexander de Grote des werelts krÿgs dapperheÿt". Centre: "Hier ligt Helena des werelts schoonheyt". Top right: "Hier ligt Samson des werelts sterckheyt". Bottom right: "Hier ligt K. Cresus des werelts rykdom" Bears number: Pag. 490

Notes

Another engraving (Wellcome Library no. 26744i) includes a version of part of this picture: the kings examining the skeleton of King Croesus

Reference

Wellcome Collection 26260i

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