Netherlandish Still Life Genres

Vanitas Sub-Categories

Vanitas paintings often consist of a core set of common symbols that denote them as belonging to the Vanitas genre and lending specific symbolic form and meaning. Each item woven into these still life pieces can be sorted into one or multiple of three possible categories: wealth, knowledge, and death. Items representing wealth usually appear as literal references to opulence, which includes depictions of gold pieces, purses, lavish jewelry, and glass. Objects relating to knowledge are commonly associated with literacy or worldly exploration and include maps, globes, and books. Finally, items symbolizing death often display prominently and include skulls, watches and other timepieces, rotting or spoiled food, extinguished candles, and bubbles.