Albrecht Dürer

Dürer's prints are replete with symbols. The vigorous, quick-growing plant at the left represents lust and desire, as does the sword, which Dürer places rather unambiguously between the young man's legs. The gallant is walking with his beloved - a married woman - in the countryside. Both are oblivious to Death, who lurks behind a tree in the background, holding an hourglass above his head. This is a modern, moralized version of the early 15th century theme of the Garden of Love, a memento mori and a warning against adultery. However, the moralizing tone is tinged with sadness that their love and beauty will not last.