The Hourglass

Part of a collection of puzzles inspired by a local exhibition of Evelyn De Morgan works.

Originally painted in 1904-1905, De Morgan’s sister Mrs Stirling wrote the following description of the piece 1924:

In an ancient chair, inlaid with ivory, a woman is seen seated. Behind her on the wall are glowing tapestries; a gold lamp of medieval design is suspended above her head. Her draperies, in wonderful hues of yellow and russet bronze, are thickly sewn with pearls, the delineation of which in correct perspective constituted a tour de force. Jewels of barbaric design accentuate the richness of her attire and gleam again from her quaint head-dress, beneath which shows the first indication of age – her whitening locks. Meanwhile, with a brooding sorrow, her gaze is fixed upon an hourglass, clasped in her slender fingers, wherein the sands are swiftly running out: at her feet is a dying rose, and close to her lies a book on which are visible the words “Mos Janua Vitae” – Death is the portal of life. So, too, unheeded by her, outside the open doorway stands the figure of life, the Immortal, piping joyously in the sunlight in robes of azure amid the blossoming flowers of spring.

Staying true to the medium of the original, I've printed this copy on high quality canvas before adhering to 6mm baltic birch plywood. I opted to cut this piece in an expressionistic style of curls and long fingers, reflecting the existential musings of the painting subject.

The completed puzzle measures 7-3/8 x 8-7/8 inches and is comprised of 93 pieces.

As a limited edition of 1/1, this image will never be recycled by the workshops of Turning Taxis Plywood Puzzles.