Miser

Wenceslaus Hollar after Hans Holbein the Younger after Abraham van Diepenbeeck

National Gallery of Art

This is an image of an allegorical scene. In the center, a richly dressed figure gestures towards a skeleton holding a book or ledger. They are in a vaulted room with an arched window and a candle on the table. The table has coins and valuables, with a treasure chest underneath. Pillars and statuesque figures frame the scene. Above, cherubs and a skull are depicted. Below, cherubic figures accompany symbols of mortality like skulls and an hourglass. The drawing uses strong lines and shadows for depth and drama.