Vanitas Still Life

from the original painting by Pieter Claesz.

A still life symbolizing the impermanance of all things (“vanitas” refers to Ecclesiastes, “Vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas” — “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”). The extinguished candle, the watch that has run down, the overturned wine glass, and of course the skull all point to the brevity of life. The closed book with the pen set aside may be one more symbol of things ending, or it may indicate the hope that written knowledge can transcend the life of one individual.

Stitch Count: 344w x 250h