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.

1655

1 print : line engraving ; platemark 32.1 x 44.4 cm

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

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

Wellcome Collection 26260i