p.i.g.m.e.n.t.i.u.m: An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life

If you are a lover of printed words, you would know how much of your time is taken by books alone. Then one day, sooner or later, you discover a huge vacuum within that you know next to nothing about other art forms. This blog is an attempt to fulfil one such lacunae in the art of painting. We intend to look up a random painting and upload it with a link here every day whilst having our daily cuppa coffee. In this way at least we hope to be better acquainted with colours, colourers and the schools than what we are now.If you wish to be a part, you know where to shout.

Sunday, December 06, 2015

An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life

An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life, Harmen Steenwyck, 1640

"This type of painting is called a 'vanitas', after the biblical quotation from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes (1:2): 'Vanitas vanitatum... et omnia vanitas', translated 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity'. The books symbolise human knowledge, the musical instruments (a recorder, part of a shawm, a lute) the pleasures of the senses. The Japanese sword and the shell, both collectors' rarities, symbolise wealth. The chronometer and expiring lamp allude to the transience and frailty of human life. All are dominated by the skull, the symbol of death."

p.i.g.m.e.n.t.i.u.m

Sunday, December 06, 2015

An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life

No comments:

Pigments

Galleria

Followers