Young Man with a Skull (Vanitas) 1628

Frans Hals's "Young Man with a Skull (Vanitas)" from 1628 is a striking example of the "vanitas" genre, a popular theme in 17th-century Dutch art. The painting depicts a young man, likely a wealthy gentleman, holding a human skull, a memento mori, or reminder of death. This juxtaposition of youth and mortality underscores the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own mortality. The young man's attire and the prominent pink feather on his hat suggest an air of affluence and vanity, further emphasizing the contrast with the skull.