Art Resource - ART211394

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GHEYN,JACOB THE YOUNGER

'Allegory on the Equality of all Mankind in Death', 1599. The complex meaning of this image is derived from the Latin inscriptions. The most important is that at the top of the tent: "MORS SCEPTRA LIGONIBUS AEQVAT" (Death makes the sceptre and spade equal). Death is therefore the equaliser of people of all classes, from the peasant on the left to the Emperor on the right. The skeletons show no social distinction. On the rim of the tent stand an owl and a lamp, symbols of death and life respectively. The round scenes show the Fall of Man and the Crucifixion, representing the introduction and the conquering of death. The Last Judgement painted in the centre reminds the viewer of Divine Judgement. The boy blowing bubbles is a traditional emblem of transience dictated by the words inscribed over his head: "HOMO BULLA" (Man is [as] a soap bubble). The drawing and print of this theme of mortality and the passing of human existence are therefore designed to encourage the renunciation of all worldly pleasures and to prepare the viewer for death. De Gheyn sympathized with Protestant or Calvinist teachings as this drawing fully illustrates.
PD, 1895-9-15-1031

Location British Museum/London/Great Britain

Unique Identifier ART211394

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 3725px × 4685px

Photo Credit Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY

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