William Dyce 1806 - 1864
Dyce was a Scottish artist who worked in Edinburgh and London with short spells in Rome where he studied the works of artists such as Titian. Like many artisits, he painted portraits in order to support himself but later turned to religious and historical painting.
Omnia Vanitas, 1848
"Omnia Vanitas" is part of the phrase "Vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas" which appears in the Latin translation of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 1:2. It can be translated as "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity" in the King James Version of the Bible.
The phrase Omnia Vanitas itself simply means all is futile, or foolish or empty - you get the drift.
In any event, the meaning with regard to the painting can be seen in the contrast between the beautiful young girl and the skull. We as viewers are invited to reflect upon the transient nature of life and beauty. The pensive air of the girl suggests she is doing the same thing.
Vanitas paintings have been a recurrent theme in art history and are often shown as still lifes featuring, along with the obligatory skull, such things as clocks to show the passage of time and wilted flowers.
The painting by William Dyce is owned by the Royal Academy of Arts where you can see a larger image. |
