Allegory of Transience – Late 19th-Century Oil Painting, Signed
Offered is a German oil painting dating from the late 19th century, depicting a striking allegory of the transience of earthly life. At the centre stands Death, personified as a skeleton wearing a dark red robe. With a long broom, he sweeps together symbols of worldly possessions and human vanity. Coins, jewellery, flowers and other objects lie at his feet. The dark palette and vivid red robe emphasise the painting’s moral message in the tradition of “Memento mori”. The painting is signed at the lower right. The signature may read “M. Grosser” or “M. Grösser”; the artist has not been conclusively identified.
Details:
Condition:
The cardboard has damage to both lower corners, with associated paint loss. Otherwise, the painting is in nice condition. The ornate, gold-coloured frame has amateur repairs to its inner section. Six small sections of the moulding are missing. Restoration of the frame is recommended. Due to these defects, the frame is included free of charge. A distinctive collector’s piece for enthusiasts of allegorical painting and historical Memento mori imagery. The photographs form part of the description and show the current condition of the item offered. Guaranteed antique – not a reproduction.
