The Promenade

A finely dressed couple strolls high above a beautiful landscape. The gallant young man gazes at his companion adoringly as he points ahead to the path. The ostrich feather he wears in his hat is a sign of his bachelor status. The woman wears an elegant costume that combines elements from contemporary German and Venetian fashion.

Behind the tree, however, and completely unnoticed by the lovers, a figure of Death peers toward them, holding up an hourglass. The Promenade can be interpreted as a moralizing metaphor for the brevity of life. Figures of Death functioned as a reminder that life on earth should not be solely devoted to fleeting pleasures and empty luxury.