De trap des levens 1545 - 1553

"De trap des levens" (The Ladder of Life) is a 16th-century woodcut by Cornelis Anthonisz, a Dutch artist. Created between 1545 and 1553, the artwork depicts a complex allegory of human life, journey, and mortality. The central theme revolves around a monumental archway, symbolizing the gateway between earthly life and the afterlife. Within the archway, a scene of the Last Judgment unfolds, while figures representing various stages of life ascend or descend a staircase leading to the archway. The woodcut's detailed imagery and accompanying inscriptions offer a poignant commentary on the human condition and the inevitability of death. Now housed in the Rijksmuseum, "De trap des levens" serves as a reminder of the enduring power of art to explore profound philosophical and religious concepts.