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Hourglasses Collection

Hourglasses have captivated the minds of great thinkers and artists throughout history

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Man measured his hours in many ways (litho)

Man measured his hours in many ways (litho)
8676237 Man measured his hours in many ways (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Man measured his hours in many ways)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The queen. The Queen has just come out of her palace, when death appears unexpectedly

The queen. The Queen has just come out of her palace, when death appears unexpectedly
FLO4675617 The queen. The Queen has just come out of her palace, when death appears unexpectedly and the drains of force to keep her away

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Hourglass. Engraving 1887

Hourglass. Engraving 1887
530325 Hourglass. Engraving 1887.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Mausolee of Count Maurice of Saxony (1696 -1750), marechal of France

Mausolee of Count Maurice of Saxony (1696 -1750), marechal of France. Sculpture by Jean Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785)
JEB4961638 Mausolee of Count Maurice of Saxony (1696 -1750), marechal of France. Sculpture by Jean Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785) 1771-1776 Church of Saint Thomas of Strasbourg.; (add.info)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The Child. A cottage owner's wife prepares a family meal when death arrives

The Child. A cottage owner's wife prepares a family meal when death arrives
FLO4675821 The Child. A cottage owner's wife prepares a family meal when death arrives and takes away the youngest of her children

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Temptation of Saint Anthony (oil on copper)

Temptation of Saint Anthony (oil on copper)
8682955 Temptation of Saint Anthony (oil on copper) by Teniers, David the Younger (1610-90); (add.info.: By David Teniers the Younger).

Background imageHourglasses Collection: An engraving depicting Old Father Time with his scythe and hourglass, 19th century

An engraving depicting Old Father Time with his scythe and hourglass, 19th century
5311222 An engraving depicting Old Father Time with his scythe and hourglass, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1891); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Representation of the Degrees of Man's Age' Engraving 1820 Civica raccolta delle stampe

Representation of the Degrees of Man's Age' Engraving 1820 Civica raccolta delle stampe Bertarelli, Milan
BEN5478758 Representation of the Degrees of Man's Age' Engraving 1820 Civica raccolta delle stampe Bertarelli, Milan; Photo © Raffaello Bencini.

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The emblem of the grotesque in the Renaissance (17th century) Italy

The emblem of the grotesque in the Renaissance (17th century) Italy: The old man between Death and Volupte
JAB4119819 The emblem of the grotesque in the Renaissance (17th century) Italy: The old man between Death and Volupte. Engraving by Cesare Reverdino. 1895; Photo ©Jaime Abecasis.

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Cupid relinquishes his bow and arrows and deposits them with

Cupid relinquishes his bow and arrows and deposits them with
5893183 Cupid relinquishes his bow and arrows and deposits them with the; (add.info.: Cupid relinquishes his bow and arrows and deposits them with the British standard)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: A carder using heated combs to remove the wool fibres that will be spun

A carder using heated combs to remove the wool fibres that will be spun. Wool comber using heated wool combs to pull a
FLO4577720 A carder using heated combs to remove the wool fibres that will be spun. Wool comber using heated wool combs to pull a fine sliver of wool to be spun into yarn

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Vanite: still life with skull, shell, score, hourglass, candle and string instrument

Vanite: still life with skull, shell, score, hourglass, candle and string instrument
JEB4906371 Vanite: still life with skull, shell, score, hourglass, candle and string instrument. Painting by Simon Fox of Saint Andre (1613-1677) c.1650 (oil on canvas); Palais de Longchamp

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Eveque. Quietly resides in his fate, the eveque is led by death, while in the background

Eveque. Quietly resides in his fate, the eveque is led by death, while in the background
FLO4675888 Eveque. Quietly resides in his fate, the eveque is led by death, while in the background, the loss of the good shepherd is symbolically plunged by several shepherds in the midst of their

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The lawyer. The wealthy client puts a tax in the hands of the dishonest lawyer

The lawyer. The wealthy client puts a tax in the hands of the dishonest lawyer
FLO4675708 The lawyer. The wealthy client puts a tax in the hands of the dishonest lawyer. Death also contributes, but reminds him that the hourglass has passed away

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The Noble. The Noble, the high sword, tries in vain to free himself from the embrace of death

The Noble. The Noble, the high sword, tries in vain to free himself from the embrace of death
FLO4675681 The Noble. The Noble, the high sword, tries in vain to free himself from the embrace of death. The hourglass is on his coffin

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The image shows a painting representing an alpinist, collocated on the top of a mountain

The image shows a painting representing an alpinist, collocated on the top of a mountain
3568345 The image shows a painting representing an alpinist, collocated on the top of a mountain and flanked by the allegory of the death

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Scenes of Witchcraft: Evening, c. 1645-49 (oil on canvas)

Scenes of Witchcraft: Evening, c. 1645-49 (oil on canvas)
XOS5879301 Scenes of Witchcraft: Evening, c. 1645-49 (oil on canvas) by Rosa, Salvator (1615-73); Cleveland Museum of Art, OH, USA; (add.info.: Painting by Salvator Rosa At dusk)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Vanitas with death and a maiden, 1909 (engraving)

Vanitas with death and a maiden, 1909 (engraving)
955324 Vanitas with death and a maiden, 1909 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Vanitas with death and a maiden, after Jacob De Gheyn)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: An engraving depicting an hourglass, 19th century

An engraving depicting an hourglass, 19th century
5310948 An engraving depicting an hourglass, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1873); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The father of Time ringing the bells to announce the arrival of Father Noel's sleigh

The father of Time ringing the bells to announce the arrival of Father Noel's sleigh, firing by reindeer
NWI4881378 The father of Time ringing the bells to announce the arrival of Father Noel's sleigh, firing by reindeer, circa 1870

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The canon. Death holds his hourglass before him when he enters the cathedral

The canon. Death holds his hourglass before him when he enters the cathedral
FLO4675891 The canon. Death holds his hourglass before him when he enters the cathedral. They are followed by a nobleman with a falcon on his fist, his jester or crazy, and a little boy

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The nun. This is a mixture of galantry and religion. The nun admitted her lover to her apartment

The nun. This is a mixture of galantry and religion. The nun admitted her lover to her apartment
FLO4675645 The nun. This is a mixture of galantry and religion. The nun admitted her lover to her apartment. She is on her knees before an altar

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The bride. She receives from a steward the magnificent dress

The bride. She receives from a steward the magnificent dress and ornaments with which she is about to equip herself
FLO4675628 The bride. She receives from a steward the magnificent dress and ornaments with which she is about to equip herself

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The dangers of lust and illicit love. 16th century (after symbolic woodcut by Peter Flotner)

The dangers of lust and illicit love. 16th century (after symbolic woodcut by Peter Flotner)
533550 The dangers of lust and illicit love. 16th century (after symbolic woodcut by Peter Flotner); (add.info.: Alcohol is aiding seduction in center)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Title page with calligraphy and skulls and crossbones

Title page with calligraphy and skulls and crossbones
5893179 Title page with calligraphy and skulls and crossbones.; (add.info.: Title page with calligraphy and border of figures with skulls and crossbones, hourglasses and wings)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Diogene, 1867_11_30 - Illustration by Henri Meyer (1844-1899): Press/Media, Literature

Diogene, 1867_11_30 - Illustration by Henri Meyer (1844-1899): Press/Media, Literature, Hourglass - Time (Allegory de)
ICA4896713 Diogene, 1867_11_30 - Illustration by Henri Meyer (1844-1899): Press/Media, Literature, Hourglass - Time (Allegory de), Journalist Journalism

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Powder box (powder box) detail of Chronos and a love holding an hourglass - Fabrique Moustiers

Powder box (powder box) detail of Chronos and a love holding an hourglass - Fabrique Moustiers Olerys Laugier - Joseph
JEB4904542 Powder box (powder box) detail of Chronos and a love holding an hourglass - Fabrique Moustiers Olerys Laugier - Joseph Olerys (1697-1749) and Jean Baptiste Laugier (18th century)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: S: The woman mad of her body (Scortum) - The Alphabet of Death, c.1856 (engraving)

S: The woman mad of her body (Scortum) - The Alphabet of Death, c.1856 (engraving)
DUV4221981 S: The woman mad of her body (Scortum) - The Alphabet of Death, c.1856 (engraving); 8x23 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Drawing by H)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The rich man. A demon blows corruption in the ear of a magistrate, who turned his back on a poor man

The rich man. A demon blows corruption in the ear of a magistrate, who turned his back on a poor man
FLO4675702 The rich man. A demon blows corruption in the ear of a magistrate, who turned his back on a poor man, while he is in intimate conversation with another person

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The judge. The judge has to decide a dispute between a rich man and a poor man

The judge. The judge has to decide a dispute between a rich man and a poor man
FLO4675659 The judge. The judge has to decide a dispute between a rich man and a poor man. From the first, he's about to receive a bribe. Death behind him tears off his bureaucrat dress

Background imageHourglasses Collection: How mighty little is a minute (colour litho)

How mighty little is a minute (colour litho)
8656460 How mighty little is a minute (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: How mighty little is a minute. And yet how precious much is in it)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Story of Sand: The Sand or Hour-Glass (colour litho)

Story of Sand: The Sand or Hour-Glass (colour litho)
8659612 Story of Sand: The Sand or Hour-Glass (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Sand or Hour-Glass)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: 16th century hourglass: 19th century engraving

16th century hourglass: 19th century engraving
530326 16th century hourglass: 19th century engraving; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Mausolee of Count Maurice of Saxony (1696 -1750), marechal of France

Mausolee of Count Maurice of Saxony (1696 -1750), marechal of France, detail of the Death Jean Baptiste Pigalle
JEB4961651 Mausolee of Count Maurice of Saxony (1696 -1750), marechal of France, detail of the Death Jean Baptiste Pigalle (1714-1785) 1771-1776. Church of St

Background imageHourglasses Collection: John Milton & Galileo Galilei, 19th century (engraving)

John Milton & Galileo Galilei, 19th century (engraving)
5311771 John Milton & Galileo Galilei, 19th century (engraving) by Hart, Solomon Alexander (1806-81); (add.info.: Illustration showing John Milton (9th December 1608 - 8th November 1674)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: The Temptation of Saint Anthony, 17th Century (Oil on canvas)

The Temptation of Saint Anthony, 17th Century (Oil on canvas)
7393535 The Temptation of Saint Anthony, 17th Century (Oil on canvas) by Heemskerk, Egbert van the Elder (1634/5-1704); 54 x 40, 6 cm; Fondation Glenat, Grenoble, France; © Fonds Glenat

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Holy family and saint John the baptist, 16th century (oil on wood)

Holy family and saint John the baptist, 16th century (oil on wood)
7129523 Holy family and saint John the baptist, 16th century (oil on wood) by Venusti, Marcello (c.1512-79); Palazzo Corsini, Gallerie Nazionali Barberini Corsini, Rome

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Stereoscopic card depicting a woman being laced into a corset

Stereoscopic card depicting a woman being laced into a corset, published by the American Stereoscopic Company
473253 Stereoscopic card depicting a woman being laced into a corset, published by the American Stereoscopic Company, 1903 (sepia photo) (see also 473254) by Young

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Stereoscopic card depicting a woman being laced into a corset

Stereoscopic card depicting a woman being laced into a corset, published by the American Stereoscopic Company
473254 Stereoscopic card depicting a woman being laced into a corset, published by the American Stereoscopic Company, 1903 (sepia photo) (see also 473253) by Young

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Saint Dominic penitent. 1621 (oil on canvas)

Saint Dominic penitent. 1621 (oil on canvas)
AIS5332863 Saint Dominic penitent. 1621 (oil on canvas) by Florin, Alonso (fl.1621); (add.info.: FLORIN, Alonso (17th century) Toledo. Holy Cross Museum); Photo © Rotger/AIC

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Vanity portrait of the painter (oil on canvas)

Vanity portrait of the painter (oil on canvas)
471456 Vanity portrait of the painter (oil on canvas) by Lint, Peter van (1609-90); 85x64 cm; Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, Belgium; © Art in Flanders

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Trompe l'oeil: Letter rack with an hourglass, a razor and scissors, 1664 (oil on canvas)

Trompe l'oeil: Letter rack with an hourglass, a razor and scissors, 1664 (oil on canvas)
LAF470827 Trompe l'oeil: Letter rack with an hourglass, a razor and scissors, 1664 (oil on canvas) by Gysbrechts, Cornelis Norbertus (1630-1683); 101.9x83.4 cm; Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Ghent

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Sorcerer killing a person by burning a small figurine of them (engraving)

Sorcerer killing a person by burning a small figurine of them (engraving)
6029330 Sorcerer killing a person by burning a small figurine of them (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513 (engraving)

Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513 (engraving)
4071439 Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513 (engraving) by Durer or Duerer, Albrecht (1471-1528); 24.6x18.8 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (add.info.: The Christian knight)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Gustavus Adolphus II (1594-1632) King of Sweden, on his deathbed, 1633 (engraving) (b / w photo)

Gustavus Adolphus II (1594-1632) King of Sweden, on his deathbed, 1633 (engraving) (b / w photo)
CHT230896 Gustavus Adolphus II (1594-1632) King of Sweden, on his deathbed, 1633 (engraving) (b/w photo) by German School, (17th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Benedictine liquor. (Illustration, circa 1930)

Benedictine liquor. (Illustration, circa 1930)
5975926 Benedictine liquor. (Illustration, circa 1930) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Power supply)

Background imageHourglasses Collection: Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513 (engraving)

Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513 (engraving)
883704 Knight, Death, and the Devil, 1513 (engraving) by Durer or Duerer, Albrecht (1471-1528); Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA; (add.info.: The Christian knight)



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Hourglasses have captivated the minds of great thinkers and artists throughout history. From John Milton to Galileo Galilei, these iconic timekeepers have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination. In the 17th century masterpiece "The Temptation of Saint Anthony, " we see hourglasses symbolizing the fleeting nature of earthly desires. Painted with meticulous detail on canvas, this oil painting reminds us that time is a precious commodity not to be squandered. Moving back in time to the 16th century, we encounter "Holy Family and Saint John the Baptist. " This exquisite piece depicts an idyllic scene where an hourglass subtly rests in the background. It serves as a reminder that even sacred moments are subject to the passage of time. Fast forward to the turn of the 20th century, where sepia-toned photographs capture a woman being laced into a corset. Published by the American Stereoscopic Company in 1903, these images reveal how they were once used as tools for measuring beauty and conforming to societal standards. However, not all representations are tied to vanity or constraint. In "Trompe l'oeil: Letter rack with an hourglass, " painted in 1664, we witness an optical illusion that tricks our eyes into believing objects exist beyond their two-dimensional confines. Here, an hourglass coexists with other everyday items like scissors and razors, reminding us that time is interwoven into every aspect of life. Even religious figures found solace in contemplating these ancient devices. In "Saint Dominic penitent, " painted in 1621, we see a pious saint clutching his rosary while gazing at an intricately designed hourglass nearby. The sands slipping through serve as a constant reminder for him to repent and seek redemption. Not all depictions are so somber; some artists embraced the hourglass as a symbol of their craft.