Death, with a touch of gold.

[Memento mori]. Elle est inevitable incertaine, décisive. A Paris chez Pintard J.e [Jeune] Rue S.t Jacques N.o 30, s.a. [c. 1830]. [10.5 x 6.9 cm], [1] f. hand-colored lithograph, with gold pigment. Pale stain in lower margin, colors still fresh.
 
 
Unrecorded—and quite beautiful—small, hand-colored memento mori lithograph depicting a skull & crossbones within a decorative frame enhanced with gold pigment. A French inscription reminds us to contemplate death: “It is inevitable, unpredictable, final” (“Elle est inevitable incertaine, decisive”).
 
The item carries the Paris address of Pintard “Jeune,” whose shop was at Rue St. Jacques 30. Pintard was active during the 1820s and 1830s.
 
The print could have served as an everyday personal devotional reminder or could have been exchanged at a funeral or other mortuary event.
 
 
This print is not recorded by OCLC or KVK.