Titelprent voor de serie 'De vierentwintig uren van het menselijk geluk' 1675

Giuseppe Maria Mitelli created this print, the 'Titelprent voor de serie 'De vierentwintig uren van het menselijk geluk,' using etching techniques, and it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The composition is dominated by a central figure of an old man, wings sprouting from his back, holding a scythe and pointing to a clock face marked with twenty-four hours. The linear precision of the etching creates a stark contrast between the figure of time and the decorative elements surrounding it. The crumbling architectural fragments at the base and the twining foliage suggest decay and cyclical regeneration. Time is not merely measured; it is portrayed as an active force. The clock is a symbolic structure, representative of human existence. The figure of time underscores the fleeting nature of happiness, framing it within the relentless march of hours. Time isn't just a measure, but an allegory for human conditions. This challenges viewers to consider their place within the broader structure of existence. The work thus invites contemplation on temporality, mortality, and the human quest for happiness.