The Vanity of Arms (Allegory of War) (Primary Title)
Weapons and Accoutrements of War in a Battlefield, a River and a Church on a Hill Beyond (Former Title)

Jan van Kessel, Flemish, 1626 - 1679 (Artist)

ca. 1662-70
Flemish
Oil on copper
Unframed: 10 x 12 1/2 in.
Framed: 16 1/2 x 19 3/8 x 1 1/2 in.
L2020.6.67
This allegorical composition evokes the devastation of a battle and its aftermath. Ornate armor and stateof-the-art weapons are scattered across the foreground. These remnants of military conflict, now abandoned and useless, are reminders of soldiers who died in battle. Three carefree sparrows hover above the trifles of vain human concern. Salamanders, long thought to withstand the destructive forces of fire, emerge to rummage around the former battleground. These blameless creatures create an effective counterpoint to the tumult of the invading forces attacking the church in the scene’s background. The artist intended to depict the City of God besieged by human violence. As a former captain of Antwerp’s civic guard, Van Kessel was no stranger to the ruthless realities of warfare. In this painting, he reveals the ultimately futile, life-negating aspect of violent conquest.
The Jordan and Thomas A. Saunders III Collection

Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.