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The pope is sitting on his throne surrounded by cardinal and bishop. On the steps below is written:
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Der Statthalter auf der Erden |
The governor on Earth |
The text is from "Besonders meubliert- und gezierte Todten-Capelle" (picture to the right), from a chapter about Aaron, Moses' brother and the first high priest ever.
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The kneeling Death hands a petition on which it is written: »Schloss bref for 89 Aar«. A Schlossbrief (German for "castle letter") is a document proving that a person is entitled to a certain castle, but there is no explanation as to why it is for exactly 89 years.
Most of the scene is taken from Holbein's pope (picture to the left): The Pope is about to crown an emperor who kisses his feet; Death sneaks up behind the Pope, while another Death stands behind the Cardinal.
The slightly puzzled bishop, who is gently but firmly lead away by Death, may be a free interpretation of Holbein's bishop. Death wears a bishop's mitre, as he does with Holbein's abbot, while the lantern in Death's hand is from Holbein's priest.
