Portrait of Mortality and Reflection

John Donne (1572–1631), was a British poet who entered the ministry in 1615 and served as dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, from 1621 until his death, Donne underwent a profound transformation after taking holy orders, renouncing his earlier worldly ambitions.

As a reflection of his newfound focus on mortality, Donne agreed to have his portrait painted while wrapped in a burial shroud,…