Bartholomaeus Spranger and his Late Wife Christina Muller

Aegidius Sadeler II, after Bartholomaeus Spranger

National Gallery of Art

The image portrays a detailed allegorical scene with multiple figures and intricate elements. In the center left, a man is depicted from the waist up, wearing a richly adorned garment with a high ruffled collar. His facial hair is styled in a moustache and pointed beard, and he has a serious expression. Behind him, angelic figures and allegorical beings hold various objects like trumpets and a scythe. On the right, an ornate oval portrait of a woman is shown from the chest up, adorned with a lace collar and neatly styled hair. She has a solemn and composed expression. Below the portrait, a cherub holds up a drapery that reveals a skull. Around the figures are items related to art and time, such as a painter's palette, an hourglass, and bones. The background is filled with elaborate ornamentation, including fruits and decorative elements, creating a rich visual environment.