Twee studies van een schedel 1833 - 1891

Theodule Ribot sketched these studies of a skull, rendered in ink, probing the depths of mortality. The skull, a potent symbol across cultures, serves as a memento mori, urging us to reflect on our fleeting existence. We see this motif echoed in vanitas paintings of the Dutch Golden Age and even ancient Roman art, where skulls remind us that death is the great leveler. It appears in different times and places, as it has evolved over time and been passed down through history, shifting in meaning Consider, too, how the skull has been reinterpreted in modern contexts, like the Day of the Dead celebrations. This celebration transforms a symbol of death into a vibrant celebration of life and remembrance. These images tap into our collective unconscious. They are a primal reminder of our mortality but also an acknowledgement of our shared humanity, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. In the non-linear cyclical progression of symbols, the skull resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings.