Quis evadet (Allegory of Transience)

Engraving, end of XVI century, with the imprint of Domenicos Custos. After Hendrick Goltzius. 

Lower center in plate: Flos nouus, et verna fragrans argenteus aura / Marcescit subitò, perit, ali, perit illa venustas. / Sic et vita hominum iam nunc nascentibus, eheu, / Instar abit bullae vaniq. elapsa vaporis. (F. Estius)

A great impression, on contemporary laid paper, trimmed to the platemark, showing trace of central fold, otherwise very good conditions.

Blowing bubbles, the recliing boy is leaning on a skull that symbolizes transcience. Scholars points out that Goltzius ha here synthesized a combination of the Italian type putto as a symbol of Vanity and the Dutch elementes emblematic transcience. This is emphasized by the inscription Quis Evadet? (Who will be spared?).

Another version of this subject published by Goltzius is based on a composition by Titian, as transmitted by an engraving by Agostino Carracci.

This copy, in reverse, published by Custos is not listed in the literature.