Preview
Artist's Statement
My painting reinterprets traditional vanitas and memento mori imagery through a personal lens, exploring how certain experiences have shaped who I am today. While the objects I chose (a bible, a skull, plants, jewelry, wilting flowers, and insects) echo those found in 17th-century still-life paintings, each carries deeply personal meaning.
The bible reflects my faith as a Christian. Representing the challenges & spiritual battles I've faced. Along with the peace that comes after surrendering life to a greater purpose. The jade beaded necklace, a gift from my aunt who thinks of me as her own, represents love and heritage rather than vanity. Completely contrasting the original stereotype of possessions as superficial and meaningless. The skull, a symbol of memento mori. Interprets my own repeated experiences with loss. Grief that has cycled so many times eventually made me numb to it; by re-opening the same old wounds over and over again. The wilting flowers mirrored the state of emotional and physical exhaustion I was undergoing when creating this painting.
The insects serve as symbols of secular views. Their art-historical purpose was to challenge the artist's & viewer's perspectives on the constant change in their lives. Each insect is a metaphor for a specific human condition, emphasizing the transformation and growth that can occur in life. The caterpillar represents the transformation a person undergoes when detaching from their flesh & spiritual rebirth. Beetles are associated wi/strength & resilience. A reminder that the world is constantly changing, and all you can do is survive in a chaotic environment.
Dimensions
20”x16”
Year created
12-1-2025
Rights
© The Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Brandt, Elizabeth, "Vanitas Oil Painting: A Reflection on Impermanence" (2025). SACAD: Creative Activities. 168.
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad_art/168
