Tabula Cebetis 1640

"Tabula Cebetis" (1640) is an anonymous engraving depicting a circular landscape with a path winding through it, symbolizing the journey of life. The scene is rich with allegorical figures, including a naked man representing humanity, guided by various virtues and vices. Above, a winged figure holding a skull represents Death. This complex and detailed work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the popular use of visual metaphors to convey moral and philosophical ideas during the 17th century. It's a fascinating example of a "Tabula Cebetis", a genre popular in the Renaissance, where allegorical landscapes and figures served as visual guides to virtue.