Vanitas
1650
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
British 17th Century
This artist made detailed engravings and etchings in 17th-century Britain, often for book pages.
See the richer artist page1650
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Vanitas is a 1650 ink by British 17th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows a still life with symbols of life and death. It's a somber scene with a skull and other objects. The artist used simple objects to convey a big message, which is interesting because it makes you think about what's important. The use of everyday objects like a book and a vase makes the scene feel familiar. The skull, though, adds a sense of seriousness and reminds us that life is short. You can learn more about this style by looking into the technique: engraving.
This artist made detailed engravings and etchings in 17th-century Britain, often for book pages.
See the richer artist page
