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Vanitas Collection

"Vanitas: A Captivating Glimpse into the Transience of Life" Step into a world where life and death intertwine, as captured by the masterpieces of renowned artists

Background imageVanitas Collection: Self-portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, 1872. Artist: Bocklin, Arnold (1827-1901)

Self-portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, 1872. Artist: Bocklin, Arnold (1827-1901)
Self-portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, 1872. Found in the collection of the Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Background imageVanitas Collection: Harlequin and Death, 1907. Artist: Somov, Konstantin Andreyevich (1869-1939)

Harlequin and Death, 1907. Artist: Somov, Konstantin Andreyevich (1869-1939)
Harlequin and Death, 1907. Found in the collection of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Background imageVanitas Collection: Isle of the Dead, c. 1905

Isle of the Dead, c. 1905. Private Collection

Background imageVanitas Collection: The Two Young Girls - The Beautiful Rosine by Antoine Wiertz

The Two Young Girls - The Beautiful Rosine by Antoine Wiertz
Reproduction of the painting The Two Young Girls or The Beautiful Rosine by Antoine Wiertz (1806-1865). A pretty girl confronts her stark (and dead)

Background imageVanitas Collection: Penitent Magdalen, (oil on canvas)

Penitent Magdalen, (oil on canvas)
7129325 Penitent Magdalen, (oil on canvas) by Fetti or Feti, Domenico (1589-1624); Galleria Doria Pamphilj, Rome, Italy; (add.info.: Penitent Magdalen, Domenico Fetti, oil on canvas)

Background imageVanitas Collection: Selfportrait with skeleton. Artist: Corinth, Lovis (1858-1925)

Selfportrait with skeleton. Artist: Corinth, Lovis (1858-1925)
Selfportrait with skeleton. Found in the collection of Stadtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas with death and a maiden, 1909 (engraving)

Vanitas with death and a maiden, 1909 (engraving)
955324 Vanitas with death and a maiden, 1909 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Vanitas with death and a maiden, after Jacob De Gheyn)

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas with death and a maiden

Vanitas with death and a maiden
3478590 Vanitas with death and a maiden; (add.info.: Vanitas with death and a maiden, (after) Jacob De Gheyn. From Illustrierte Sittengeschichte vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart by Eduard Fuchs

Background imageVanitas Collection: Death and lovers, c.1890. Creator: Stuck, Franz, Ritter von (1863-1928)

Death and lovers, c.1890. Creator: Stuck, Franz, Ritter von (1863-1928)
Death and lovers, c.1890. Private Collection

Background imageVanitas Collection: Eve, the Serpent and Death, ca 1510-1515. Creator: Baldung (Baldung Grien), Hans (1484-1545)

Eve, the Serpent and Death, ca 1510-1515. Creator: Baldung (Baldung Grien), Hans (1484-1545)
Eve, the Serpent and Death, ca 1510-1515. Found in the Collection of the National Gallery of Canada

Background imageVanitas Collection: Death and the Maiden, 1517. Creator: Baldung (Baldung Grien), Hans (1484-1545)

Death and the Maiden, 1517. Creator: Baldung (Baldung Grien), Hans (1484-1545)
Death and the Maiden, 1517. Found in the Collection of the Art Museum Basel

Background imageVanitas Collection: Triumph of Paul III's Fame on death. (From the Series of the life of Pope Paul III), 1687

Triumph of Paul III's Fame on death. (From the Series of the life of Pope Paul III), 1687. Found in the Collection of the Musei Civici di Palazzo Farnese, Piacenza

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas with Death and the Last Judgment. Creator: Philip Tideman

Vanitas with Death and the Last Judgment. Creator: Philip Tideman
Vanitas with Death and the Last Judgment

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1650. Creator: Jacques de Claeuw

Vanitas Still Life, 1650. Creator: Jacques de Claeuw
Vanitas Still Life, 1650

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Allegory, mid-17th century. Creator: Willem de Poorter

Vanitas Allegory, mid-17th century. Creator: Willem de Poorter
Vanitas Allegory, mid-17th century. A woman at her dressing table flinches at a skeleton holding up a mirror to her - a reminder of mortality

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 17th century. Creator: Unknown

Vanitas Still Life, 17th century. Creator: Unknown
Vanitas Still Life, 17th century

Background imageVanitas Collection: 'Vanitas' Still Life, c1665. Creator: Adam Bernaert. 'Vanitas' Still Life, c1665

"Vanitas" Still Life, c1665. Creator: Adam Bernaert. "Vanitas" Still Life, c1665
"Vanitas" Still Life, c1665

Background imageVanitas Collection: Portrait of deceased boy with vanitas motif, 17th century. Creator: Unknown

Portrait of deceased boy with vanitas motif, 17th century. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of deceased boy with vanitas motif, 17th century

Background imageVanitas Collection: Bubble -blowing boy, 1741-1820. Creator: Abraham Delfos

Bubble -blowing boy, 1741-1820. Creator: Abraham Delfos
Bubble -blowing boy, 1741-1820

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas still life with musical instruments, ceremonial vessels, books, an extinguished candle

Vanitas still life with musical instruments, ceremonial vessels, books, an extinguished candle... Private Collection

Background imageVanitas Collection: The Past, 1912. Creator: Rabes, Max (1868-1944)

The Past, 1912. Creator: Rabes, Max (1868-1944)
The Past, 1912. Private Collection

Background imageVanitas Collection: St Jerome, 1500-1520. Creator: Bernardino da Asola

St Jerome, 1500-1520. Creator: Bernardino da Asola
St Jerome, 1500-1520

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1646. Creator: Pieter Symonsz Potter

Vanitas Still Life, 1646. Creator: Pieter Symonsz Potter
Vanitas Still Life, 1646

Background imageVanitas Collection: A Vanitas Still-Life with a Skull, a Book and Roses, c.1630. Creator: Jan Davidsz de Heem

A Vanitas Still-Life with a Skull, a Book and Roses, c.1630. Creator: Jan Davidsz de Heem
A Vanitas Still-Life with a Skull, a Book and Roses, c.1630

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1658-1697. Creator: Gerrit van Vucht

Vanitas Still Life, 1658-1697. Creator: Gerrit van Vucht
Vanitas Still Life, 1658-1697

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1665. Creator: Cornelis Brise

Vanitas Still Life, 1665. Creator: Cornelis Brise
Vanitas Still Life, 1665

Background imageVanitas Collection: Saint Jerome in his Study by Candlelight, c.1520-c.1530. Creator: Aert Claesz

Saint Jerome in his Study by Candlelight, c.1520-c.1530. Creator: Aert Claesz
Saint Jerome in his Study by Candlelight, c.1520-c.1530. Other Title(s): Saint Jerome in his Study by Candlelight. Saint Jerome behind his desk

Background imageVanitas Collection: An Antique Artist, c.1628-c.1636. Creator: Johannes Swinderen

An Antique Artist, c.1628-c.1636. Creator: Johannes Swinderen
An Antique Artist, c.1628-c.1636. Other Title(s): Self portrait? in Oriental Dress. Attributed to Johannes van Swinderen

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1662. Creator: Edwaert Collier

Vanitas Still Life, 1662. Creator: Edwaert Collier
Vanitas Still Life, 1662

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas with Minerva, 1709. Creator: Magnus Jørgensen

Vanitas with Minerva, 1709. Creator: Magnus Jørgensen
Vanitas with Minerva, 1709

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life with Books, 1633. Creator: Anon

Vanitas Still Life with Books, 1633. Creator: Anon
Vanitas Still Life with Books, 1633

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1670. Creator: Pieter van der Willigen

Vanitas Still Life, 1670. Creator: Pieter van der Willigen
Vanitas Still Life, 1670

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life with the Spinario, 1628. Creator: Pieter Claesz

Vanitas Still Life with the Spinario, 1628. Creator: Pieter Claesz
Vanitas Still Life with the Spinario, 1628

Background imageVanitas Collection: St Jerome in his study, c.1535-c.1545. Creator: Marinus van Reymerswaele

St Jerome in his study, c.1535-c.1545. Creator: Marinus van Reymerswaele
St Jerome in his study, c.1535-c.1545. Here he is shown with his cardinal's hat hanging on the wall in reference to his position under Pope Damasus in Rome

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanits still life, 1640-1672. Creator: Aelbert Jansz van der Schoor

Vanits still life, 1640-1672. Creator: Aelbert Jansz van der Schoor
Vanits still life, 1640-1672

Background imageVanitas Collection: Bubble-blowing Girl with a Vanitas Still Life, 1680-1775. Creator: Unknown

Bubble-blowing Girl with a Vanitas Still Life, 1680-1775. Creator: Unknown
Bubble-blowing Girl with a Vanitas Still Life, 1680-1775. Manner of Adriaen van der Werff

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1675-1700. Creator: B. Schaak

Vanitas Still Life, 1675-1700. Creator: B. Schaak
Vanitas Still Life, 1675-1700

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life, 1630-1660. Creator: Stevers

Vanitas Still Life, 1630-1660. Creator: Stevers
Vanitas Still Life, 1630-1660

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Still Life with Scull with Laurel Wreath, Book and two Burning Candles, 1645-1650

Vanitas Still Life with Scull with Laurel Wreath, Book and two Burning Candles, 1645-1650. Creator: Jacob van Campen
Vanitas Still Life with Scull with Laurel Wreath, Book and two Burning Candles, 1645-1650

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas still life, 1660. Creator: N.L. Peschier

Vanitas still life, 1660. Creator: N.L. Peschier
Vanitas still life, 1660. Other Title(s): Vanitas still life

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas Self-Portrait, 1679-1681. Creator: Steenwinckel, Antonie van (active 1671-1688)

Vanitas Self-Portrait, 1679-1681. Creator: Steenwinckel, Antonie van (active 1671-1688)
Vanitas Self-Portrait, 1679-1681. Found in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp

Background imageVanitas Collection: Skull and Hourglass, 1714-1814. Creator: Christian Albrecht Jensen

Skull and Hourglass, 1714-1814. Creator: Christian Albrecht Jensen
Skull and Hourglass, 1714-1814

Background imageVanitas Collection: Trompe l´oeil with Vanitas Still Life, 1668. Creator: Cornelis Norbertus Gysbrechts

Trompe l´oeil with Vanitas Still Life, 1668. Creator: Cornelis Norbertus Gysbrechts
Trompe l´oeil with Vanitas Still Life, 1668

Background imageVanitas Collection: Skinned Head of an Ox, 1688-1691. Creators: Francisco Goya, Felice Boselli

Skinned Head of an Ox, 1688-1691. Creators: Francisco Goya, Felice Boselli
Skinned Head of an Ox, 1688-1691

Background imageVanitas Collection: Vanitas, Vanitatum et Omnia Vanitas. Creator: Jan Saenredam

Vanitas, Vanitatum et Omnia Vanitas. Creator: Jan Saenredam
Vanitas, Vanitatum et Omnia Vanitas

Background imageVanitas Collection: Trompe l'Oeil with Trumpet, Celestial Globe and Proclamation by Frederik III, 1670

Trompe l'Oeil with Trumpet, Celestial Globe and Proclamation by Frederik III, 1670. Found in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

Background imageVanitas Collection: A vanitas still life with an open book, a globe, a nautilus goblet, a violin and precious objects

A vanitas still life with an open book, a globe, a nautilus goblet, a violin and precious objects, Creator: Collier
A vanitas still life with an open book, a globe, a nautilus goblet, a violin and precious objects. Private Collection

Background imageVanitas Collection: The Knight, the Young Girl and Death, Between 1500 and 1524. Creator: Baldung (Baldung Grien)

The Knight, the Young Girl and Death, Between 1500 and 1524. Creator: Baldung (Baldung Grien), Hans (1484-1545)
The Knight, the Young Girl and Death, Between 1500 and 1524. Found in the collection of the Musee du Louvre, Paris




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"Vanitas: A Captivating Glimpse into the Transience of Life" Step into a world where life and death intertwine, as captured by the masterpieces of renowned artists. In Arnold Bocklin's "Self-portrait with Death Playing the Fiddle, " we witness the haunting melody that reminds us of our mortality. The canvas whispers secrets of impermanence. Penitent Magdalen, portrayed in oil on canvas, invites us to reflect upon our own sins and seek redemption. Lovis Corinth's self-portrait with a skeleton serves as a stark reminder that death is an ever-present companion on our journey through life. Antoine Wiertz's "The Two Young Girls - The Beautiful Rosine" unveils beauty fading away, reminding us that youthfulness is fleeting. Harlequin and Death dance together in Konstantin Andreyevich Somov's painting, symbolizing the eternal tango between joy and sorrow. Pomo d'Oro entices us with its golden allure but also warns against materialistic pursuits leading to emptiness. Brueghel Elder's "Tower Babel 1563" depicts mankind's futile attempts at reaching immortality through grandiose endeavors. In another still life composition, musical instruments and manuscripts lay abandoned—a poignant reminder that even artistry succumbs to time’s relentless grip. An allegory of vanity painted on wood in 1600 urges us not to be consumed by superficial desires. Alfred Rethel presents an unusual perspective in "Death as a Friend, " suggesting that embracing mortality can bring solace amidst uncertainty. Finally, a magnificent still life by an unknown artist showcases Holbein Bowl alongside delicate nautilus shells—an exquisite arrangement highlighting both beauty and decay. As Cupid perches atop a mountain of skulls armed with a pistol, we are reminded that love itself can lead to destruction if misused or misunderstood.