Vanitas Painting
Vanitas painting is a very special style of still painting that objects were mostly associated with the Netherlands a the set of the 17th century. The diction entailed objects including books that can be easily found on the still life platform. The main aim of this artistry work is to make the viewers recall their humanity and life endeavors. The name Vanitas is derived from the Latin word, Vanity and this gives the basis for such paintings. It makes us remember that our property possession cannot protect us from death since it is inescapable. It is deemed to refer to the biblical vanity that is found in the book of Ecclesiastes, where it talks about the vanity of vanities but in the context, the term refers to vapor painting. This paper discusses Hendrick Andreissen's Vanitas object and its reflection to the tradition.
Still-life and its Origins
Still-life can also be called nature morteI in French. It embraces painting as a structural organization of objects as the subject of interest. The works became more popular during the 16th centuries. The first artistry works in still life painting was developed in Egypt. It is so evident from the places where the dead were buried. The most popular still life painting was recognized at Tomb of Menna in Egypt. The Greeks and Romans then embraced the still life artistry by using glass, flowers, and Vases. Later the middle ages then started to adopt the art of still life, and they now incorporated symbolic objects in their art. More objects were introduced including coins, gold, jeweler, and watches. After the introduction of the floral artistry, the painters now started to decorate their paintings with the flowers but with the motive of depicting how short life is with riches and wealth.
Devices in Hendrick Andriessen's Vanitas Object
The devices that are being used in the works of Hendrick Andriessen represent a given meaning. In the portrait, he uses the skull, a rope, bubbles, candle, flowers and glass jug. All these devices are meant to depict the fragility of life. The watch is used to depict the ending time (Baadj 2009, p.24). The orange book where the skull is resting depicts the human knowledge. At times the still life artists would use the book open so that they can show the content of the knowledge that is in the book. This will help the viewer to have a deeper insight into the intellectual reality. Just in front of the book, there are some silver coins that are used to signify wealth and riches. And time can be signified by the watch that is next to the coins. The watch has a gold color, and this will keep constantly reminding the reader of the how time elapses.
Symbolism and Meanings in the Painting
From the object, light is seen to be concentrated most on the skull, and this depicts the most critical elements of the painting. Just having a leaf on top of the skull symbolizes the type of negotiation that is there between life and death. In the image as well there is a document that serves as a warning to the need for wealth and power. He is sending a message to the viewer that if you are not like the leaf above the skull, you should asses yourself and determine your state. The leaf is used to assure the Christians that there is life after death and it is the reason it is placed on top of the skull that is symbolizing death. The small tidings that are present in the portrait imply that there can be little hope of redemption after vivacity (Kelly). The hammered stick promises salvation. The object serves to warn the Dutch business community of Antwerp of the dangers of wealth acquisition. The dish just next to the skull depicts the luxuries that are associated with wealth.
History and Development of Vanitas Paintings
The Vanitas paintings were established around 1550 all through the 1650s. In the beginning, they were just still lives that were attached at the back of portraits. As they advanced with time they became focused artistry work. This advancement was centered in Dutch where Protestants were known to have taken root. Later it became familiar to the Netherlands and some other parts of Spain. At the introduction of the artistry work, it was so untidy and gloomy. At the completion of the period, the works became more enlightened and beautiful. There are some artists that greatly contributed to the Vanitas events. One of the major contributors to the Vanitas paintings is Hendrick Andriessen. He was an artist grounded on Catholicism, and he decided to follow the ways of the Dutch predecessors. In these paintings, there is no single object that lacks meaning.
Vanitas Ideology and Symbolism
The paintings from Andrean reflect the times of civil wars and the completion of Charles' rulership. In support of the above Vanitas, it is stated that irrespective of the amount of gold or and wealth that a King might possess; the kingship will finally be suppressed at the last minute of the hour. This artistry work tries to embrace what is in the heart of Vanitas Ideology. He is using his objects to just show the evaporation of the worldly pleasures, riches, and even ambitions. On the same portraits, Andrean is trying to triumph over death by using the candlestick.
Symbolism of Vanitas Paintings
The whole theme behind the above artistry work is to remind the viewers of life's transformations. A skull is not part of a living man and therefore its usage in the artistry works implies s that when one is alive, he or she must decide to value life just before it ends. Despite the artistry work being behind Vanitas, it needs the viewer to have a deeper look just beyond it. It is making the viewer just to recall the cultivation norms that just existed at recent times. To remind the people about the folly of richness, the skull being on top of the book portrays the end of man's knowledge. It shows that death is on top of wealth acquisition. The skull reminded the viewers that, "I am dead, you will also be like me."
Objects and Symbolism in Vanitas Paintings
Despite the lovely objects that the Vanitas painting entailed it referred to humanity. It represents a human skull that maybe be presents having or not having the bones. Some more other elements might be included in this work. Such items include soap, candles, and flowers. More other items are placed on the artwork just to signify the different undertakings that the world is engaging itself in.
The Moral Teachings of Vanitas Paintings
A good example is knowledge received from an academic pursuit. It can be symbolized by the books, charts or devices. Gold and jewelry are used when the artist is referring to wealth. The earthly pleasures are depicted by the precious devices like the pipes, goblets, and ornaments. On top of the skull portraying impermanence, these kinds of paintings include time references that are depicted by using watches. Rotten food or spoilt flowers may be used equally to symbolize a time lapse. The pictures equally portray the idea of life after death. To represent resurrection, some devices like ivy sprigs and ears of corn are being applied.
Comparison with Other Still Life Paintings
In comparison with the other still life, Vanitas can have its subjects disorganized to depict a world that has sunken in material possession and therefore it has a lot of chaos. The Memento Mori is closely related to the Vanitas paintings that have the principal aim of making people recall before their life ends. It seemed to comprise of most devices that depicted death. It did not put into consideration the usage of material representations.
Moral Teachings and Symbolism in Vanitas Paintings
The Vanitas painting had several meanings and implication apart from them being just works of art. They equally portrayed critical moral teachings. The pictures are meant to remind and teach us the small life treasures are suddenly brought into an end by death. As the Vanitas Paintings were taking root, the Catholic and Protestant were equally on the move. This pushed Vanitas into receiving public attention. Catholicism and Protestantism were insisting on the need for putting less concentration on the worldly pleasures and material possessions of the world. As they made their followers ready for the second coming of their Lord and gaining new life after death, they advised them not to put their treasure on the earthly worldly materials but instead focus on the life they are going to receive after death. Many of the paintings are nowadays take to be great artistry works.
Works Cited
Baadj, Nadia Sera. "Hendrick Andriessen's' Portrait'of King Charles I." The Burlington Magazine 151.1270 (2009): 22-27.
Kelly, Raymond J. To be, or not to be: four hundred years of vanitas painting. Flint Institute of Arts, 2006.
