The title (from an etching of the composition made by Castiglione in the same year) alludes to the transience of earthly endeavours. The strong contrasts of the monotype technique, with white lines scraped into an inky ground, were perfect for nocturnal or sepulchral subjects. Here a smoking torch held by a child allows a man to read the inscription (actually Castiglione’s signature) on the base of the trophy, while another writes in a book, watched over by a further two figures.