Sic transit gloria mundi

Sic transit gloria mundi — “Thus passes the glory of the world” — reflects on the transience of power, wealth, and prestige. History is marked by empires and nations that once appeared dominant, only to decline, fragment, or disappear. What seems permanent in the present may prove temporary in retrospect.

The swan, traditionally associated with light, purity, and grace, also carries another meaning: through the myth of the swan song, it becomes a symbol of an ending. Here, its seemingly precious golden surface suggests splendour and status, while the damaged and scratched gold leaf exposes their underlying fragility.

What remains of glory once its surface begins to wear away?