Allegory with Figures of Hope, Time, and Death 1659 - 1734

Sebastiano Ricci's "Allegory with Figures of Hope, Time, and Death" is a drawing created between 1659 and 1734. It depicts a scene of allegorical figures representing hope, time, and death. Time, a winged figure with an hourglass, appears to be hovering over a seated woman, who likely symbolizes hope. The skeletal figure of death is seated next to hope, representing the constant presence of mortality. The drawing's composition and use of light and shadow emphasize the dramatic tension between the figures and create a sense of both fragility and resilience. This artwork is a testament to the enduring themes of mortality, hope, and the passage of time.