Vanitas Still Life
Creator Name
Cultural Context
Date
Source
About the Work
Curationist Object DescriptionSkulls, femur bones, and flowers are scattered on the table of Aelbert Jansz. van der Schoor's Vanits still life. Vanitas is a genre used to illustrate the brevity of life and the inevitable passage of time. It was especially popular among European artists and Christians from the 13th century to the 17th century.
Skulls, like the many in this 17th-century painting, represent the head of Death. In context, the persistent symbol reminded viewers to face death courageously, without fear.
Skulls, like the many in this 17th-century painting, represent the head of Death. In context, the persistent symbol reminded viewers to face death courageously, without fear.
Rijksmuseum Object Description
Vanitas stilleven met schedels, botten, rozen, een zandloper en een brandende kaars op een stenen tafel of plint. Tegen de muur een plankje met documenten met zegels en boeken.
Work details
"--" = no data available
= Curationist added metadataTitle
Creator
Worktype
Cultural Context
Material
Dimensions
Technique
--
Language
--
Date
Provenance
Style Period
Rights
Inscription
Location
--
Source
Subjects
Topic
--
Curationist Contributors
Related Content
All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:
Aelbert Jansz. van der Schoor, Vanits still life, 1640-1672. Rijksmuseum. The skulls in this 17th-century painting remind viewers to face death head-on. Public Domain.
Help us improve this content!
Let our archivists know if you have something to add.
Save this work.
Start an account to add this work to your personal curated collection.
