Vanitas

Vanitas is a type of symbolic art from the 16th and 17th centuries that reminds viewers of life's transient nature. Through objects like skulls, wilting flowers, or hourglasses, it highlights the fleeting nature of wealth, beauty, and worldly pursuits, encouraging reflection on mortality and the importance of spiritual values. Vanitas artworks serve as visual memento mori—"remember you will die"—prompting contemplation on human mortality and the futility of materialism, ultimately urging viewers to prioritize lasting spiritual or moral virtues over temporary worldly gains.