Moral Emblems: The Beautiful World Fades
Engraved by Etienne Delaune French
Designed by Jean Delaune French
Not on view
Engraving, part of a set of 20 moral emblems, each designated by a letter of the alphabet. The set was designed by Jean Delaune and engraved by his father, Étienne Delaune, in 1580. It explores the theme of vanity in mundane things, denouncing the artifices of the world (beauty, pleasure, luxury...), and praising virtue. This print represents a view of a city and a landscape in the background, with a male philosopher sitting on the left, commenting on it. In front of his eyes are a sumptuous palace with several characters, including a royal procession, its members dressed in lavish costumes. Wind, waves and flowers are also represented in the scene as metaphors for fugacity, luxury and power, suggesting an idea of banal vanity.
