Explanations of the Subjects of the Triumph of Death, by Hans Holbein
Plate I — Frontispiece
At the side of a stone table, placed vertically, Holbein appears behind a curtain, which Death opens to him, to place before his eyes the great Spectacle of the Scenes of human Life that he is going to sketch. This is also expressed by an heap of the attributes of grandeur, dignities, riches, arts, and sciences, mixed with death-heads, which Death is trampling under his feet. Below is an epitaph from Lucan—Mors sceptra ligonibus æquat. Death confounds the sceptre with the spade. This table is topped with a medallion, with the portrait of Holbein. Two Genii support this medallion; the one surrounded with a garland of flowers, the other lets fly a butterfly, whilst a third is amusing himself with making soap bubbles. What these allegories mean is easily understood.