Passe, Crispijn van de (I), Cologne, The essence of human existence, The reason of man, verso above - handwritten in brown ink, Man amidst objects that symbolize the possibilities of life. He studies a ring that he holds in his left hand holds. In life one must choose between following one's passions (personified by Venus and Amor), one's temporal needs (the wine and the fruit), outward amusements (the playing cards, the mask, the tennis racket) or knowledge (the compass, the plane, the songbook and the set square). The snake coiled around his hand symbolizes reason which can help him make his choice., print, prints, verso under - stamped, 3, height 166 mm, width 116 mm, 1564 - 1637, print maker, printmaker, 1589 - 1611, paper, papier, engraving, engraving (printing process), Work conception, after a design by, Publication (Event), Publication, publisher