3-075-158 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Court of Death, 1820. A subject intended to be a moral statement for contemporary times, based on a poem by an Anglican bishop describing how mortals are called by Death, here depicted in the centre. At far right is War, who tramples over the bodies of his victims, a widow and an orphan. To Death's right is a mass of humanity representing sins from intemperance to suicide, all of which are associated with those who have died from leading decadent lives. At Death's feet is the body of a man cut down in the prime of life, which demonstrates the power Death holds over everyone. Approaching the central figure is Old Age, who is supported by Faith and, after leading a long, productive, and pious life, welcomes Death with outstretched arms.