Vanitas Still Life with Skull, Candle, and Hourglass (Primary Title)
Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, German, 1493 - 1555 (Artist)
The popularity of Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder’s
portraits among Cologne’s patrician class made him
the city’s preeminent painter in the first half of the
16th century. Vanitas motifs were intended to reinforce
the viewer’s awareness of the vanity of human pursuits
when confronted with the transience of youth and,
ultimately, of corporeal life. The decaying skull, the
candle stub with its sputtering flame, the sand passing
through the hourglass, and the Latin inscription
meaning “Live mindful of death,” together effectively
comprise a memento mori, a reminder of the ephemeral
nature of material existence. This painting was the
reverse side of a now-lost portrait roundel, which
was very likely one half of a pendant pair depicting
a married couple. The two portraits would have fit
together in the manner of an oversized locket for ease
of storage and transportation.
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.
