Art: General

The Oxford Dictionary of Art The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists Further reading

vanitas

The Oxford Dictionary of Art | 2004 | | Copyright

vanitas (Latin: ‘vanity’ or ‘emptiness’). A type of still-life picture depicting an object or collection of objects symbolizing the brevity of life and the transience of all earthly pleasures and achievements. Typical motifs are a skull, an hourglass, a watch, a smoking candle, and a flower losing its petals. Such paintings were especially popular in Dutch and Spanish art of the 17th century. At this time vanitas elements were often found in portraits and figure paintings as well as in pure still-lifes.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

IAN CHILVERS. "vanitas." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "vanitas." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-vanitas.html

IAN CHILVERS. "vanitas." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-vanitas.html

Learn more about citation styles

vanitas

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists | 2003 | | Copyright

vanitas (Lat.: ‘vanity’ or ‘emptiness’). A type of still-life picture depicting an object or collection of objects symbolizing the brevity of life and the transience of all earthly pleasures and achievements. Typical motifs are a skull, an hourglass, a watch, a smoking candle, and a flower losing its petals. Such paintings were especially popular in Dutch and Spanish art of the 17th century. At this time vanitas elements were often found in portraits and figure paintings as well as in pure still lifes.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

IAN CHILVERS. "vanitas." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "vanitas." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-vanitas.html

IAN CHILVERS. "vanitas." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-vanitas.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Vanitas vanitatum Magazine article from: Modern Brewery Age; 3/1/2007
	Euroitalia goes on offensive with Versace Vanitas scent.(cosmetics PRODUCT... Newspaper article from: Cosmetics International; 11/19/2010
	Vanitas Motel.(Review) Magazine article from: Chicago Review; 1/1/1999