Vanitas still life paintings included objects that had symbolic meaning. This style of painting was to remind people of their mortality, and that knowledge, love, joy, and worldly possessions are transient.
Artists take on one of two approaches within the Vanitas theme. The first is a hopeful approach, comparing the fleeting and vain nature of earthly things to the eternal nature of an after life. The second approach speaks to the fleeting nature of existence itself. Their works proclaim: this life is all there is, so do not let it pass by before enjoying all of its pleasures.
Vanitas Still Life Paintings
Books, maps, and musical instruments are symbols of arts and sciences, human curiosity and knowledge.
Gold and jewelry symbolized wealth and power.
Shells - vanity and wealth.
Silk or velvet - vanity and wealth.
Skulls, clocks, burning candles - the frailty of human life.
Candle or oil lamp symbolize the human soul.
Watch, Hourglass or Timepiece – the transience and limitation of time.Rotten fruit symbolizes aging.
Skull - the fragility of life.
Ripe fruit symbolize fertility, abundance or wealth.
Rotten fruit - aging or the passing of time.
Decaying Flowers - fragility of life.
Apples symbolize the fall of man.
Roses symbolize love.
Poppy symbolizes laziness.
Ivy and laurel branches symbolize the circle of life.
Playing Cards, Games - faulty life goals.
Glass - empty glass symbolizes mortality, Broken or tipped over - life is fleeting.
Porcelain - purity.
Mirror & glass ball - vanity or self-reflection.
Insects - life is transient.
Water - sustains life.
Birds - life after death.
Bee & Butterfly - hope and fragility of life
Sword - courage.
Justine Reyes
"Taking inspiration from Dutch Vanitas paintings, these photographs incorporate personal artifacts within the traditional construct of still life. Pairing objects that belonged to my grandmother with my own possessions speaks to the concept of memory, familial legacy and the passage of time."
"Taking inspiration from Dutch Vanitas paintings, these photographs incorporate personal artifacts within the traditional construct of still life. Pairing objects that belonged to my grandmother with my own possessions speaks to the concept of memory, familial legacy and the passage of time."