Memento Mori: Life and Death in Western Art from Skulls to Still Life

What is Memento Mori?

“Vanitas Still Life” by Pieter Claesz, 1630. (Photo: Public domain via Wikipedia)

We’ve all heard the phrases “here today, gone tomorrow” and “nothing lasts forever.” They’re sayings that reflect on the fleeting nature of life, reminding us of our mortality. And though most cultures today find a discussion about death to be uncomfortable, this wasn’t always the case.

Throughout history, particularly in times of strife, people were encouraged to ponder death and its meaning. In Medieval Europe, when plagues abounded, a particular philosophy that took hold asked people to meditate on objects that reminded them of life and death. Memento mori, which translates to “remember that you will die,” may seem morbid to some, but was a discipline that was held in high esteem.

This practice asked people to detach from their worldly goods and luxuries. The fleeting nature of these vanity items was juxtaposed with the immortality of the soul and the idea that energy should be put toward the afterlife. Of course, like many philosophies of the time, this translated into rich artistic imagery that is now commonplace.

Memento Mori Art

“Pendant with a Monk and Death” by anonymous French artist, 1575-1675. (Photo: Public domain via Wikipedia)

 

Memento Mori Symbolism

Artists have long been fascinated by this stoic philosophy, using the somber teachings as a springboard for their art. In fact, skull art, which certainly has its origins in memento mori, continues to be a popular aesthetic niche. Skulls, skeletons, and skulls with wings have all been employed as powerful reminders that we will all leave this earth at some point. Skulls are, in fact, the most commonplace symbol in memento mori art and are the classic symbol of mortality.

Instantly recognizable, they're also used well beyond Western Europe. Mexico's Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is one of the most famous celebrations to use skull iconography to pay homage to those who have died. From an art perspective, Albrecht Dürer, Vincent van Gogh, and Pablo Picasso are just some of the artists who use skull imagery to make important artistic statements.

Vanitas Still Life Painting

“Vanitas Still Life with Thinking Young Man” by Samuel Dirksz van Hoogstraten, c. 1645. (Photo: Public domain via Wikiart)

However, skulls aren’t the only symbols used to express memento mori. Throughout the history of Western art, artists used a variety of metaphors to ruminate on life’s fragility. Particularly in the Netherlands, still life painting was used to explore these concepts. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, these paintings were often called vanitas (Latin for “vanity”). They used symbols like rotting fruit, musical instruments, watches, hourglasses, and bubbles to show decay and the fleeting nature of life.

 

Memento Mori Art

Let's look at examples of the skillful ways that artists across history have used visual cues to provoke reflection about the ephemeral nature of material possessions and the need to focus on the soul.

 

Albrecht Dürer

Memento Mori Art

“Skull” by Albrecht Dürer, 1521. (Photo: Public domain via Wikiart)

Frans Hals

Memento Mori Art

“Young Man with a Skull” by Frans Hals, c. 1626. (Photo: Public domain Wikipedia)

 

Philippe de Champaigne

Memento Mori Definition

“Still-Life with a Skull” by Philippe de Champaigne, c. 1671. (Photo: Public domain via Wikipedia)

 

Maria van Oosterwijck

Vanitas Painting

“Vanitas Still Life” by Maria van Oosterwijck, 1668. (Photo: Public domain via Wikipedia

 

Vincent van Gogh

Memento Mori Meaning

“Skull with Burning Cigarette” by Vincent van Gogh, 1885. (Photo: Public domain Wikiart)

 

Paul Cézanne

Death Symbolism in Art

“Pyramid of Skulls” by Paul Cézanne, 1898-1900. (Photo: Public domain via Wikipedia)

 

Pablo Picasso

Skull Art by Pablo Picasso

“Composition with Skull” by Pablo Picasso, 1908. (Photo: Hermitage Museum)

Related Articles:

Japanese Artist Plants Colorful Flower Landscapes to Explore Nature’s Cycle of Life and Death

7 of Art History’s Most Horrifying Masterpieces

8 Real-Life People Who Became the Stars of Art History’s Most Famous Paintings

The Controversial Life and Art of Post-Impressionist Painter Paul Gauguin

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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