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This plate and the following were added by Merian for the 1649-edition. The image is a copy of Memento Mori by Henrik Hondius from 1626.
The fragile life is illustrated by a candle about to burn down, cut flowers that soon will wilt, and an hourglass. The scales at the top of the hourglass and the two wings — one of an angel and the other of a devil — show the two possible final destinations.
Compared to Hondius' original, Merian has added a text in the book: »Christus ist mein Leben, Sterben ist mein Gewen«. This is a quote from Filippians 1:21, »For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain«.
Merian has also added the subtitle: »Finis Coronat Opus« ("The end crowns the work") and has crowned the skull with a wreath.
Dances of death
Basel
Memento Mori