More Fine Art Portfolio; My drawings, prints and photographs
This is a work in progress, a 'proof' off of the linoleum. I believe I'll replace the rose with something a little more exotic....so I'm searching for a luscious flower......and a reflective period vase. Maybe I'll add some throwing 'dice' and a couple of playing cards. I was always fond of this quote by St. Augustine, and thought long and hard as to how to bring it visually to fruition.
Vanitas. I was always drawn to these images, expecially those of the 16th & 17th centuries.
The term originally comes from the opening lines of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible: ‘Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’
Vanitas are closely related to memento mori still lifes which are artworks that remind the viewer of the shortness and fragility of life (memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning ‘remember you must die’) and include symbols such as skulls and extinguished candles. However vanitas still-lifes also include other symbols such as musical instruments, wine and books to remind us explicitly of the vanity (in the sense of worthlessness) of worldly pleasures and goods