Vanitas Painting for Sale

Vanitas paintings are allegories of death, often depicted through still lifes made up of symbolic elements like skulls and butterflies, commonly seen in the works of Philippe Pasqua and Ludo. These works can be vibrant and colorful, like those of Laurence Chiche, or more subdued, as seen in the pieces by Bryan Ley. Other artists, such as Tarek, Skepa, and Ykstreetart, simplify the motif, while artists like Alain Rodier create more detailed representations. Vanitas artworks are generally accompanied by objects linked to death, whether traditionally or personally by the artist. Some artists, like Stan, multiply the motif, while others, such as Eric Liot and Takeru Amano, reinterpret the vanitas concept.

Explore our selection of vanitas paintings now and discover captivating works that capture the essence of this artistic theme. These works invite reflection on life’s impermanence, offering a unique fusion of artistic skill and profound symbolism. Whether through bold contrasts or subtle tones, vanitas paintings continue to captivate art lovers and collectors. Discover how contemporary vanitas artists reimagine this age-old tradition by experimenting with innovative mediums, incorporating urban influences, and blending traditional symbols with modern techniques. Explore Artsper's selection of vanitas paintings to add an emotionally charged and thought-provoking piece to your collection, and immerse yourself in the world of contemporary memento mori.

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Painting, Cosmic Girl, L.E.T.

Cosmic Girl

L.E.T.

Painting - 90 x 120 x 2 cm Painting - 35.4 x 47.2 x 0.8 inch

$3,744

Painting, Oups, Marc Felten

Oups

Marc Felten

Painting - 50 x 50 x 6 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 2.4 inch

$2,340

Painting, N°1, Florence Teissedre

N°1

Florence Teissedre

Painting - 150 x 100 x 2.5 cm Painting - 59.1 x 39.4 x 1 inch

$2,340

Painting, I Love New York, Ludo

I Love New York

Ludo

Painting - 50 x 50 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 inch

$2,340

Painting, Skull I, Zohar Yosefyan

Skull I

Zohar Yosefyan

Painting - 80 x 80 x 1 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch

$1,980

Painting, Ancêtre 1, Louis Vairel

Ancêtre 1

Louis Vairel

Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,521

Painting, Sans, Florian Eymann

Sans

Florian Eymann

Painting - 116 x 73 x 3 cm Painting - 45.7 x 28.7 x 1.2 inch

$2,925

Painting, I drive myself crazy, KGM

I drive myself crazy

KGM

Painting - 110 x 150 x 40 cm Painting - 43.3 x 59.1 x 15.7 inch

$7,605

Painting, Crhoco, Tekmass

Crhoco

Tekmass

Painting - 146 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 57.5 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$2,925

Painting, FlowerSkull, VL.

FlowerSkull

VL.

Painting - 20 x 20 x 4 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 1.6 inch

$70 $63

Painting, Tête de mort, Bat'Art

Tête de mort

Bat'Art

Painting - 26 x 26 x 2 cm Painting - 10.2 x 10.2 x 0.8 inch

$351

Painting, Dike, Gianluca Fascetto

Dike

Gianluca Fascetto

Painting - 111 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 43.7 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$1,100

Painting, Skeletons, Laszlo Gonzo

Skeletons

Laszlo Gonzo

Painting - 80 x 80 x 1 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch

$1,053

Painting, Vanité, Philippe Pasqua

Vanité

Philippe Pasqua

Painting - 116 x 89 x 4 cm Painting - 45.7 x 35 x 1.6 inch

$22,230

Painting, Allies, Tanner Rhines

Allies

Tanner Rhines

Painting - 91.44 x 91.44 cm Painting - 36 x 36 inch

$3,510

Painting, Vanitas, Tarek

Vanitas

Tarek

Painting - 50 x 50 x 4 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

$1,053

Painting, A Tribe, Tarek

A Tribe

Tarek

Painting - 46 x 55 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 21.7 x 0.8 inch

$994

Painting, Mythology, Rom av J.C

Mythology

Rom av J.C

Painting - 83 x 63 x 3 cm Painting - 32.7 x 24.8 x 1.2 inch

$819

Painting, Gold, Shokkobo Popart

Gold

Shokkobo Popart

Painting - 80 x 80 x 4 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 1.6 inch

$2,223

Painting, Spiritus, Tarek

Spiritus

Tarek

Painting - 60 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$3,510

Painting, Hades, Tarek

Hades

Tarek

Painting - 70 x 70 x 3 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch

$4,095

Painting, Pox II, Michael Grine

Pox II

Michael Grine

Painting - 15.2 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm Painting - 6 x 4 x 1 inch

$300

Painting, Move III, Michael Grine

Move III

Michael Grine

Painting - 27.9 x 35.6 x 0 cm Painting - 11 x 14 x 0.01 inch

$300

Painting, Masque blanc, Tarek

Masque blanc

Tarek

Painting - 15 x 15 x 2 cm Painting - 5.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inch

$70

Painting, Purgatorio, Tarek

Purgatorio

Tarek

Painting - 30 x 30 x 3 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 1.2 inch

$409

Painting, Catacombes, Tarek

Catacombes

Tarek

Painting - 20 x 20 x 2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

$175

Painting, Blue Skull, Philippe Pasqua

Blue Skull

Philippe Pasqua

Painting - 195 x 159.5 x 0.1 cm Painting - 76.8 x 62.8 x 0 inch

$17,550

Painting, Le Roi, Tarek

Le Roi

Tarek

Painting - 50 x 50 x 3 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 1.2 inch

$913

Painting, Qui mal y pense, Tarek

Qui mal y pense

Tarek

Painting - 15 x 15 x 2 cm Painting - 5.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inch

$70

Painting, Le Roi du Monde #2, Tarek

Le Roi du Monde #2

Tarek

Painting - 34 x 10 x 1 cm Painting - 13.4 x 3.9 x 0.4 inch

$211

Painting, Le Roi du Monde #3, Tarek

Le Roi du Monde #3

Tarek

Painting - 34 x 10 x 1 cm Painting - 13.4 x 3.9 x 0.4 inch

$211

Painting, Le Roi du Monde, Tarek

Le Roi du Monde

Tarek

Painting - 34 x 10 x 1 cm Painting - 13.4 x 3.9 x 0.4 inch

$211

Painting, The King Basquiat, Spaco

The King Basquiat

Spaco

Painting - 55 x 45 x 3 cm Painting - 21.7 x 17.7 x 1.2 inch

$374

Painting, Smile, Le Closier

Smile

Le Closier

Painting - 101.6 x 76.2 x 2 cm Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.8 inch

$1,350

Painting, Pietà, Zakhar Shevchuk

Pietà

Zakhar Shevchuk

Painting - 100 x 130 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 51.2 x 1 inch

$3,393

Painting, Skull, Tarek

Skull

Tarek

Painting - 20 x 20 x 2 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.8 inch

$187

Painting, Mascaras, Mateo Andrea

Mascaras

Mateo Andrea

Painting - 114 x 146 cm Painting - 44.9 x 57.5 inch

$4,563

Painting, Scared skull, Dr. Love

Scared skull

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

$105

Painting, 2 X-Rayted, Marta Zawadzka

2 X-Rayted

Marta Zawadzka

Painting - 146 x 114 x 2 cm Painting - 57.5 x 44.9 x 0.8 inch

$10,003

Painting, Celine, Carlos Olmo

Celine

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 176 x 120 x 0.5 cm Painting - 69.3 x 47.2 x 0.2 inch

$1,755

Painting, Saint Laurent, Carlos Olmo

Saint Laurent

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 176 x 120 x 0.5 cm Painting - 69.3 x 47.2 x 0.2 inch

$1,755

Painting, Tina Turner, Carlos Olmo

Tina Turner

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 125 x 84.5 x 2 cm Painting - 49.2 x 33.3 x 0.8 inch

$2,106

Painting, Indiana Jones, Carlos Olmo

Indiana Jones

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 125 x 84.5 x 2 cm Painting - 49.2 x 33.3 x 0.8 inch

$2,106

Painting, Barbarella, Carlos Olmo

Barbarella

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 125 x 84.5 x 2 cm Painting - 49.2 x 33.3 x 0.8 inch

$2,106

Painting, Iggy Pop, Carlos Olmo

Iggy Pop

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 100 x 70 x 0.3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.1 inch

$1,053

Painting, King Kong, PyB

King Kong

PyB

Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$222

Painting, Live and let die, Dr. Love

Live and let die

Dr. Love

Painting - 40 x 30 x 0.2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

$105

Painting, Skull, M.Cros

Skull

M.Cros

Painting - 100 x 100 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$2,574 $2,317

Painting, Metallica, Carlos Olmo

Metallica

Carlos Olmo

Painting - 27 x 19 x 2 cm Painting - 10.6 x 7.5 x 0.8 inch

$468

Painting, Skull of Goldorak, Tarek

Skull of Goldorak

Tarek

Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$409

Need help with Vanitas Painting ?
What is a vanitas painting and what are its key features?

A vanitas painting is a type of still life artwork that originated in the 16th and 17th centuries. It typically features objects such as skulls, hourglasses, and wilting flowers, which symbolize the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. Other common elements include books, musical instruments, and mirrors, which represent knowledge, pleasure, and vanity, respectively. The overall message of a vanitas painting is to remind viewers of the transience of earthly pleasures and the importance of spiritual contemplation.

What was the purpose of vanitas paintings and what message did they convey?

Vanitas paintings were created to remind viewers of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. They often featured symbols such as skulls, hourglasses, and wilting flowers to convey this message. The purpose was to encourage viewers to reflect on the transience of earthly pleasures and focus on spiritual and moral values.

Who were some of the most famous artists known for creating vanitas paintings and what were their contributions to the genre?

Some of the most famous artists known for creating vanitas paintings include Pieter Claesz, Willem Claesz Heda, and Harmen Steenwyck. They contributed to the genre by creating still life paintings that depicted the transience of life and the inevitability of death, often featuring symbols such as skulls, hourglasses, and extinguished candles.