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Art Memento Mori

PHILOSOPHY AND history

The philosophers of classic antiquity had a deep desire to understand the intricacies of human life, as well as the inevitable end chapter that we all must eventually experience: death.

MEDIEVAL AND VICTORIAN EUROPE

The reaction of those in classic antiquity to memento mori was to live life to the fullest, as death was around the corner.

THE AMERICAS

The Puritan Protestant community in the 17th century had a large influence on Colonial American art, leading to a rise of memento mori paintings. Skull painting is also a common theme in the Mexican festival, the Day of the Dead.

#1

The Dance of Death  (1493) Michael Wolgemut

#2

Vanitas Still Life  (1625) Pieter Claesz

#3

Young Man with a Skull (1626) Frans Hals

#4

Still Life, An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life (1640) Harmen Steenwijck

#5

Self-Portrait With Vanitas Symbols (1651) David Bailly

#6

Vanitas Still Life  (1668) Maria van Oosterwijck

#7

Still-Life with a Skull  (1671) Philippe de Champaigne

#8

Sceleti et Musculorum Corporis Humani (1749)  Bernhard Siegfried Albinus

#9

Skull with Burning Cigarette (1885) Vincent van Gogh

#10

Pyramid of Skulls  (c. 1901) Paul Cézanne