Still Life 1673

Salvator Rosa's "Still Life" (1673) presents a memento mori, a reminder of mortality. This dark and dramatic painting depicts a human skull resting alongside a fragment of a classical sculpture and several books, suggesting the fleeting nature of life and beauty against the backdrop of time and decay. This Baroque-era artwork, currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, is a testament to Rosa's mastery of chiaroscuro, where contrasting light and shadow emphasize the dramatic elements of the composition.