Vignet met het hoofd van de Tijd (Chronos) met daarop een zandloper 1639 - 1643

This 17th-century etching by Claude Mellan, titled "Vignet met het hoofd van de Tijd (Chronos) met daarop een zandloper" depicts the head of Chronos, the Greek personification of time, adorned with an hourglass and surrounded by intricate, swirling foliage. The meticulous detail and masterful use of line are characteristic of Mellan's style, known for its precision and decorative qualities. The artwork is a fine example of a vignette, a small, decorative design often used in book illustrations or as a decorative element in a larger composition. This particular vignette is a striking reminder of the fleeting nature of time.