Memento Mori
1502
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1502
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Memento Mori is a 1502 by Master MZ, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This drawing shows a barefoot person standing in a forest, holding a small box and a round object. Behind them, a castle sits on a hill, with trees and a winding path leading to it. The person’s hair is loose, and their right hand rests on a skull at their feet. The skull and box hint at a warning: life is short. The artist used simple lines to show light and shadow, making the figure stand out against the background. Look up chiaroscuro to see how light and dark create depth in art.
