© 2005 Spencer Shimko

Vanitas

ARTS106 Art History IIPresentationSpencer Shimko

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

What is Vanitas?

Vanitas is the Latin for vanity vanity in the sense of

emptiness a worthless action

all human action is transient in contrast to the everlasting nature of faith[1]

Also known as “momento mori”

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

So what does that really mean?

A vanitas is: a theme found in many periods an image that invites viewers to

contemplate their own mortality pleasure of life only lasts a moment since time is limited, one must live

fully in each moment

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

Common Vanitas Symbols

Skulls Skeletons Candles Hour-glasses and clocks Overturned vessels Flowers (often withering) Bubbles

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

Vanitas Still-Life

Pieter Claesz 1630 Germany Oil on Canvas

Skulls show the finiteness of man & limitation of human knowledge (note the books or papers)

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Young Man With a Skull

Frans Hals Germany 1626-1628 Oil on Canvas

Humans are subject to time This time inevitably ends with

death

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

St. Jerome in His Study

Joos van Cleve Netherlands c. 1525

Skull and crucifix Golgotha

Hebrew for Skull

Also note candle

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The Ambassadors

Hans Holbein the younger

German 1533 Oil on Oak

Skull represents seat of thought

Note instruments and astronomy pieces on top shelf

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The Ambassadors (cont.)

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Vanitas Still Life

Maria van Oosterwijk

Netherlands 1668 Oil on Canvas

Skull reminds us of vanity of visual arts natural

beauty Transience of

human existence

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Vanitas Still Life with Portrait

DAVID BAILLY Dutch c. 1650 Oil on Canvas

Passing of time symbolized by bubbles, flowers, candle, sundial, hourglass

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Flemish School

c. 1640 Oil on Panel

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Flemish School (cont.)

Under the Skull: I was as you are now. You will be as I am in the future.

Above the flowers: As the beauty of the flower does not last long, a human being also quickly fades.

Above the hourglass: Time runs fast, all youthful grace vanishes before one is aware of it.

On the book, page 59: Oh human being you are a wandering guest on earth, flesh is the hay of the Lord, the same as a flower in a garden by cultivation reaches a higher level of quality.

Page 60: as a lit candle has to burn so does a person have to fall into death’s hands.

Across the timepiece: a metal of oblivion.

On the paper on the ledge: Look and pray or you will face no day of peace.

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

References

Cheney, Liana. Symbolism of the Vanitas in the Arts, Literature, and Music: Comparative and Historical Studies. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1991.

Flemish School, Circa 1640 – A Vanitas Still Life. 10 October 2004. Lawrence Steigrad Fine Arts. 29 April 2005. http://www.steigrad.com/cat/flemishsch1640.html

Janson, Jonathan. A Glossary of Art Terms R-Z. 2005. Essential Vermeer. 29 April 2005. http://essentialvermeer.20m.com/glossary/glossary_q_z.htm#VANITAS

Stokstad, Marilyn. Art History, Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002.

Vanitas. 29 March 2005. Wikkipedia. 29 April 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanitas

© 2005 Spencer Shimko

Questions?

David Bailly – Self Portrait Vanitas Symbols

Pieter Boel – Large Vanitas Still Life

Barthel Bruyn

Vanitas Still Life