Jan Jansz-Vanitas Still Life-PRINT Poster

The objects shown here are intended to make the viewer reflect on the inevitability of death and the transience of human actions. Such a moralising work is called a vanitas in reference to the biblical quotation ­ 'Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities: all is vanity' (Ecclesiastes 1: 2). The painting contains a number of objects often found in such images: skull, hourglass, extinguished pipe and tapers, and shell used for blowing bubbles. Human actions, which in this context are regarded as futile, are referred to by the armour, musical instruments, musical score, drawing, jug and the title page of the play at the left. This work was written by Theodoor Rodenburgh (about 1578­1644), a member of the Amsterdam Chamber of Rhetoric. It was based on a Spanish play and first printed in Dutch in 1618.