Jan Toorop: O Grave, Where is Thy Victory (1892)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

A drawing by the Dutch artist Jan Toorop (1858-1928). The subject of this print is taken from  quote from the Bible: 

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 
55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.…
(1 Corinthians 15:54-56)

A man is floating towards an open grave while on the right 3 persons are strechting their hands toward him, these represent the earthly passions such as resentment, envy, jealousy, hate, love and conflict. On the left are 2 women (Angels) who are trying to free the floating man from earthly life and earthly suffering, symbolised by the branches of thorns at their feet. Drawing from 1892.