Vanitas Still Life by François van Daellen. A memento mori still life featuring a human skull, bones, and manuscripts arranged on a dark table next to a window.

Vanitas Still Life

François van Daellen

1650 · Oil Paint, Panel

A masterfully lit 17th-century vanitas painting contemplating life and mortality through symbolic objects.

$129

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Where it works

A weightier piece with steady character in a warmer tonal register — supports a polished room with depth.

Often works in
Library · Study · Office
Placement
Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
Walls
Benefits from light or mid-tone surroundings
Color notes
Charcoal black, Rich brown

About the piece

This mid-17th-century oil painting by François van Daellen is a classic example of a 'Vanitas' still life. It features a human skull, bones, and worn books illuminated by a soft light from a nearby window, serving as a contemplative reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

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