Struggle between the spirit and the body

The Man (Homo) sits under a tree and is crowned with a laurel wreath by a putto named Consolation (Consolatio). He is assisted by the personification of Life (Vita) and Death (Mors). On the left stands Vita, holding a Bible and a crucifix. On the right stands Mors in the form of a skeleton, holding the Tables of the Law in one hand and aiming an arrow at the man with the other. The man must always strive to live a Christian life, for death can strike at any moment and deprive him of worldly existence. In the foreground a fight is taking place between the personifications of the human spirit (Spiritus) and carnal lust (Caro). Spiritus is dressed as an angel and is assisted by Charity (Charitas). Caro has peacock feathers as a headdress and is assisted by the World (Mundum), a personification with a globe for a head. In the background on the left a lighthouse (steadfastness) and in the background on the right a ship in a storm (symbol for loss of self-control).