There is some difficulty in ascertaining the real meaning of the artist here. It has been described as the Cardinal receiving the bull of his appointment from a messenger; or as a rich man making the purchase of indulgences. Death is twisting off the Cardinal's hat.Hand-coloured engraving by Chretien de Mechel from Hans Holbein's 鈥楾he Triumph of Death;' based on original drawings by Peter Paul Rubens; 1860.