Knight, Death, and the Devil

In this famous engraving, an allegory about the strength of true Christian faith, Albrecht Dürer has depicted a steadfast knight riding untroubled past the Devil and Death. Riding his handsome steed and accompanied by his faithful hound, the knight travels on a narrow rocky path towards a walled city atop a mountain. He is already past the Devil, who is portrayed with ram horns, bat wings, goat hooves, and rat tail. Ahead of the Devil is Death, who beckons the knight to look at his hourglass and confront the shortness of life. A rotting cadaver represents Death; snakes surround his crowned head, and he appears on a sickly pale horse with a cow-bell around its neck to warn people of his presence. Neither Death nor the Devil can frighten or distract the knight who continues on his path towards eternal life and Christian salvation.