Lot 1168 Dα

This busy landscape shows the paths of virtue and vice. That of virtue is a narrow and arduous way leading to the top of a mountain. At the foot of the mountain we see a tall pediment bearing sculptures representing the three cardinal virtues of Christianity: Faith, love and hope. Some of the pious souls bearing crosses and seeking to climb this mountain fail along the way. In contrast, vice is represented by a splendid garden filled with representative edifices and populated by proud princes and dancing ladies. Although some are also shown attempting to walk the path of virtue, their foolishness is betrayed by their wolf's heads. That the path of vice is dominated by death and corruption is shown by the skeleton waving a banner over the entire scene.