Vanitas
Author: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
Dating: 18th century
Material: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions (cm): 63 x 79
Inv. no.: PNA 66709 / PNA284 / PD0731dep / PD0182
Representation of a still life of the vanitas genre.
On a table, there are books, one of which has the title ‘VITA DI’ visible on its spine. In the upper left corner, an open paper can be seen – with the edges sealed in red – bears the phrase ‘VANA EST PULCHRITUDO’, which means “Beauty is Vain”.
These still-lifes were meant to convey the fleeting nature of life and the transience of beauty.
