"Memento Mori" 1595 - 1647

"Memento Mori" (1595-1647) by Simon de Pas is a powerful reminder of mortality. The print depicts a cherub holding a skull while an hourglass, a vase of flowers, and a bone lie scattered in the foreground. This type of still life, known as a Vanitas, is characterized by its inclusion of symbolic objects that represent the transience of life. The cherub's youthful innocence contrasts with the skull, highlighting the contrast between life and death. The inscription below reads, "In death's domain, Beauty with flowers does flourish, Glory which in brief time, fully remains." This poignant message emphasizes the fleeting nature of beauty and the importance of making the most of one's life. The artwork is now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark.