The Hour of Death, allegoric miniature at beginning of the Service for the Dead in a Liber Horarum, 15th century Manuscript. The sinner, at point of death, with his sins staring him in the face, turns away from them to listen, but too late, to the advice of his good angel; his conscience, black with his faults, reminds him of them all, and remorse like a serpent devours his heart. He is suspended between hell (monster vomiting flames) and God (who with right hand threatens justice, with left expresses his desire to show mercy). - ?004 Topfoto