Memento Mori
1680
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1680
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Memento Mori is a 1680 ink by Dutch 17th Century, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This picture shows a group of sleeping figures lying on the ground. Their bodies are soft and rounded, almost like melted shapes. The background is dark and rough, making the figures stand out as lighter forms. The artist used a scratchy, textured style to create contrast between light and dark areas. This technique makes the figures look almost ghostly against the shadowy backdrop. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this dramatic lighting works in other art.
