Vergankelijkheid 1529

"Vergankelijkheid" (Transcience) is an engraving created by German Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever in 1529. This artwork, currently located in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a nude female figure holding an hourglass, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life. The figure stands amidst various memento mori, including a skull, a spade, and a globe inscribed "SPICE FIVE," serving as reminders of mortality. Aldegrever's detailed, precise style is evident in the fine lines and intricate details of the engraving, which is a testament to his mastery of the medium. The subject matter of the artwork, the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, resonated with Northern European audiences during the Renaissance.