Vanitas Still Life 1670

"Vanitas Still Life" by Pieter van der Willigen, painted in 1670, is a classic example of the Dutch vanitas genre. The artwork features a human skull, a globe, books, and other objects, alluding to the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The skull, a prominent symbol of mortality, sits on a stone ledge, juxtaposed against the books and other objects. The artist uses a dark, moody palette and meticulous detail to evoke a sense of somber reflection and the passage of time. The painting is now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen.