deemcintosh

Vanitas Vanitatum

'Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas' Vanity, Vanity all is Vanity.

This was my daughter's idea - that I try to replicate a renaissance genre paint...
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'Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas' Vanity, Vanity all is Vanity.

This was my daughter's idea - that I try to replicate a renaissance genre painting representing vanity and the transience of human life. Amongst other things I chose; the Lady's Magazine from 1793, my daughter's Oxford Degree; my great great grandfather's civil war sword; my grandmother's school bell; a vintage camera; a mask I brought back from Venice, a second edition of Richardson's 'Pamela,' a 1741 Stackhouse Bible, my grandfather's Asbury Park High School Diploma from 1907, a Regency copy of 'Elegant Extracts in Poetry' the book Emma and Harriet mention in Austen's novel, the Royal Seal from the wall of the old Covent Garden Opera House and my father's Purple Heart that he was given for being wounded in action at Guadalcanal. The phrenology head represents the mind, I guess. Plus it just looks good. And the snuffed candle is pretty obvious. (As a happy accident, this photograph includes Bell, Book and Candle, so it could also symbolise ex-communication.)
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