Death Negotiating c. 16th century

Editor: This is "Death Negotiating" by Hans Holbein the Younger. I’m struck by its stark depiction of mortality. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: Well, consider the handshake between the living and death. It's not merely an exchange, but a powerful symbol of agreement, of mortality's inevitable claim, isn't it? What cultural memories does such an image evoke for you? Editor: I guess it reminds me how death is an impartial figure. Curator: Precisely! The composition uses the symbol of death to question worldly concerns. It reflects a deeper meditation, doesn't it? Editor: Definitely, it gave me a lot to think about.