Vanity 1545 - 1550

"Vanity" is a 16th-century engraving by Italian artist Enea Vico. The print depicts a woman gazing intently at her reflection in a hand mirror. Her vanity is emphasized by the numerous decorative objects surrounding her, including a pitcher, bottles, and a box containing various items. The inscription at the bottom of the print, "Sum levior ventis tenui quoque inanior umbra," translates to "I am lighter than the winds, and emptier than a shadow," emphasizing the fleeting nature of beauty and the impermanence of life, typical of the "vanitas" genre. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this small but impactful artwork.