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Vanitas Still Life, c. 1665 / 1670. Creator: Jan van Kessel
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Vanitas Still Life, c. 1665 / 1670. Creator: Jan van Kessel
Vanitas Still Life, c. 1665/1670
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Media ID 20769239
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Bindweed Bubble Bubbles Butterflies Butterfly Caterpillar Convolvulus Convolvulus Arvensis Field Convolvulus Hour Glass Hourglass Insect Insects Jan Van Kessel Jan Van Kessel I Jan Van Kessel The Elder Kessel Jan Van Kessel The Elder Jan Van Morning Glory Oil On Copper Old Master Roses Skull Soap Bubble Soap Bubbles Time Vanitas Vase Ephemeral
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Jan van Kessel's "Vanitas Still Life" a masterpiece created between 1665 and 1670. The Flemish artist, known as Jan van Kessel the Elder, expertly captures the essence of vanitas in this 17th-century oil painting on copper. The image depicts an array of symbolic elements that invite contemplation on the transient nature of life. A delicate convolvulus arvensis, commonly known as field convolvulus or bindweed, gracefully intertwines with vibrant roses and morning glories. These flowers represent beauty and fragility, reminding us of life's ephemeral nature. Hovering above these blooms are enchanting butterflies fluttering around soap bubbles suspended in mid-air. The fragile bubbles symbolize the fleeting passage of time while the butterflies evoke transformation and rebirth. Intriguingly placed amidst this scene is a skull resting upon an hourglass—a powerful reminder of mortality and the inevitability of death. This juxtaposition serves to emphasize the transience and futility of earthly pursuits. Jan van Kessel skillfully employs color and composition to create a visually striking still life that invites viewers to reflect upon deeper philosophical concepts such as vanity, impermanence, and human existence. Displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D. C. , this artwork stands as a testament to Van Kessel's mastery in capturing complex themes through his meticulous attention to detail. It serves as both a historical artifact from seventeenth-century Flanders and an
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