Allegory of Transience c. 1690 - 1711

Pieter Schenk's "Allegory of Transience" (c. 1690-1711) is a detailed etching that highlights the fragility of life. The central figure is a skeleton standing atop a draped coffin, holding a scythe and hourglass, symbolic of death's inevitability. The surrounding landscape is teeming with figures engaged in various activities, their lives juxtaposed with the looming presence of death. Schenk’s work is a striking example of the Dutch Baroque style, characterized by its intricate details and dramatic use of light and shadow. The print serves as a somber reminder of the ephemeral nature of existence.