Allegorie op de vergankelijkheid, de drie Gratiën en Hercules 1740 - 1778

"Allegorie op de vergankelijkheid, de drie Gratiën en Hercules" is an etching by French artist Charles Dominique Joseph Eisen. Created between 1740 and 1778, the artwork depicts a complex allegory. The top portion features Death, represented as a skeletal figure, holding a scythe and descending from the clouds. This contrasts with the three Graces, female figures personifying beauty, grace, and charm, who stand in the center of the composition. Hercules, the Greek hero known for his strength, is depicted below, struggling against an unseen force. This allegorical composition explores the fleeting nature of life and beauty, with Death inevitably eclipsing even the most powerful of figures. The piece is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.