Two skeletons on a pedestal, by Anonymous Italian artist (1750, c.)

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Title

Two skeletons on a pedestal, by Anonymous Italian artist (1750, c.)

Description

"The inscription on the pedestal could be roughly translated as: 'We all have to die, the rich mingled with the poor'. This anonymous and very rare print has an oddly humorous side. As they reveal a stone tondo carved with dead bodies, the winged skeleton in the front kneels down in admiration in front of this monument of Death, while the other two skeletons are leaning onto it, seemingly in pleasant conversation. Their attitude is that of two gentlemen cracking a joke at the bar or casually chatting at a gallery opening." (Description from Christie's webpage,
https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/death-desire-prints-collection-giancarlo-beltrame/memento-mori-ingredimvr-cvncti-dives-cvm-pavpere-mixtvs-6/34681#lot-details-image-carousel)

However, the two skeletons can be both men and women, since there are no clear gender traits on either. The inscription discusses individuals of different social classes mingling but it does not discuss individuals of different genders mingling. 

Creator

Anonymous Italian artist (Unknown)

Date

1750, c.

Format

Etching with engraving on laid paper.
Dimensions: 45.7 × 35.8 cm

Item Relations

This item has no relations.

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