Still Life: An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life

Harmen Steenwyck

Still Life: An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life

Oil on Oak, Painting

39.2 x 50.7 cm

1640

            Harmen Steenwyck (1612 - 1656) was born in Delft, where he mainly worked. He and his brother Pieter were taught by their uncle, David Bailly, in Leiden. Bailly is often credited with the invention of the type of painting called a vanitas, which emphasizes the transience of life and the vanity of worldly wealth. The vanitas was a specialty in Leiden, and Steenwyck became its leading exponent.

            This type of painting is called a 'Vanitas', after the biblical quotation from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes (1:2): “Vanitas vanitatum... et omnia vanitas'”, translated “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” The objects in this painting have been chosen carefully to communicate the 'Vanitas' message which is summarized in the Gospel of Matthew 6:18-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Each object in the picture has a different symbolic meaning that contributes to the overall message. The books symbolize human knowledge, the musical instruments (a recorder, part of a shawm, a lute) the pleasures of the senses. The Japanese sword and the shell, both collectors' rarities, symbolize wealth; shells are also traditionally used in art as symbols of birth and fertility. The chronometer and expiring lamp allude to the transience and frailty of human life. All are dominated by the skull, the symbol of death.

            This piece is slightly different, it was chosen for the symbolism rather than the immense beauty. While it has the key elements of making one inspect the elements which are askew on the table, it makes one focus on the skull in the center. The items represent everyday life, which is indeed showing beauty, but the skull and the lamp represent the inevitable end to come in life. This piece almost makes the simple items more glorified in beauty, because they are part of life and yet it will end. It makes the viewer want to treasure the beauty even more.