Titiaan and his mistress Anthony Van Dyck (1599-1641)

The engraving presents a scene steeped in contrasting elements of intimacy and mortality. Here we observe an older man, distinguished by his beard and receding hairline, engaged with a younger woman. Both figures are enveloped in what appears to be luxurious fur garments, suggesting wealth or status. The man’s gaze is fixed intently on the woman; his expression seems to convey a mixture of affection and perhaps a touch of melancholy. She, in turn, holds a small vessel – likely a chalice or cup – extended towards him, her face exhibiting an ambiguous emotion that could be interpreted as either coy amusement or weary resignation.
The composition is dominated by this central interaction, but the inclusion of a framed skull positioned to the right significantly alters the reading of the scene. The skull serves as a stark reminder of transience and decay, directly juxtaposed with the apparent vitality and sensual richness embodied by the two figures. This placement creates an unsettling tension; it implies that even within moments of connection and pleasure, the inevitability of death looms large.
The artist’s use of light and shadow contributes to this complex atmosphere. The faces are rendered with considerable detail, highlighting their expressions while the background is left largely in darkness, intensifying the focus on the pairs interaction and the symbolic presence of the skull. The cross-hatching technique employed throughout the engraving creates a sense of texture and depth, further enhancing the visual impact of the scene.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of aging, beauty, and the fleeting nature of earthly pleasures. It suggests that even in moments of apparent happiness or indulgence, awareness of mortality remains an inescapable element of human experience. The gesture of offering the cup could be interpreted as a symbolic act – perhaps representing temptation, sustenance, or even a veiled reference to the brevity of life itself.