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, Skull, Françoise Nielly

Françoise Nielly

Painting . 140 x 140 cm Painting . 55.1 x 55.1 inch

€25,000

Painting, Pink Pop Skull, Dead Head

Dead Head

Painting . 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Painting . 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

€280

Painting, Vanité or, Philippe Pasqua

Philippe Pasqua

Painting . 40 x 40 x 1 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

€3,990

Painting, Cosmic Girl, L.E.T.

L.E.T.

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

€3,200

Painting, Scull, Casper Faassen

Casper Faassen

Painting . 30.5 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 12 x 12 x 1 inch

€3,684

Painting, Daredevil, Tarek

Tarek

Painting . 90 x 90 x 2 cm Painting . 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.8 inch

€4,500

Painting, Rainbow skull, M.Cros

M.Cros

Painting . 39 x 39 x 2 cm Painting . 15.4 x 15.4 x 0.8 inch

€1,500

Painting, Red tie 3, Jérôme Royer

Jérôme Royer

Painting . 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting . 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

€870

Painting, Karton, Vladimir Velickovic

Vladimir Velickovic

Painting . 32 x 28 x 3 cm Painting . 12.6 x 11 x 1.2 inch

€4,000

Painting, Crânes, Cha

Cha

Painting . 30 x 30 x 0.5 cm Painting . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.2 inch

€195

Painting, Skull Blue, Asko

Asko

Painting . 130 x 109 x 0.1 cm Painting . 51.2 x 42.9 x 0 inch

€2,000

Painting, Oner, Monsta

Monsta

Painting . 40 x 40 x 0.2 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

€1,400

Painting, Goya, Baptiste Laurent

Baptiste Laurent

Painting . 195 x 162 x 2 cm Painting . 76.8 x 63.8 x 0.8 inch

€6,600

Painting, Alchemy, Christophe Faso

Christophe Faso

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

€3,600

Painting, I Love New York, Ludo

Ludo

Painting . 50 x 50 cm Painting . 19.7 x 19.7 inch

€2,000

Painting, N°1, Florence Teissedre

Florence Teissedre

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

€2,000

Painting, Skull I, Zohar Yosefyan

Zohar Yosefyan

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

€1,812

Painting, Mini skulls Pink, Seen

Seen

Painting . 61 x 46 x 2 cm Painting . 24 x 18.1 x 0.8 inch

€5,000

Painting, A Tribe, Tarek

Tarek

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

€850

Painting, I drive myself crazy, KGM

KGM

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

€6,500

Painting, Blue Skull, Philippe Pasqua

Philippe Pasqua

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

€15,000

Painting, R.Ducasse, Alex Jul

Alex Jul

Painting . 22 x 25 x 5 cm Painting . 8.7 x 9.8 x 2 inch

€700

Painting, Skull - diptyque, Flow

Flow

Painting . 120 x 80 x 3 cm Painting . 47.2 x 31.5 x 1.2 inch

€2,500

Painting, Regard caché, Wawapod

Wawapod

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

€1,250

Painting, Vanité 5, Laurence Cornou

Laurence Cornou

Painting . 21 x 15 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, Triptych, Silvia Cuello

Silvia Cuello

Painting . 35 x 65 cm Painting . 13.8 x 25.6 inch

€810

Painting, Boom #2, Guillaume Piot

Guillaume Piot

Painting . 21 x 14.8 cm Painting . 8.3 x 5.8 inch

€210

Painting, Untitled, Luis Buendía

Luis Buendía

Painting . 122 x 103 x 2 cm Painting . 48 x 40.6 x 0.8 inch

€20,022

Painting, Cocoon, Christophe Faso

Christophe Faso

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

€2,500

Painting, Vanité, Florent Meyer

Florent Meyer

Painting . 150 x 150 x 5 cm Painting . 59.1 x 59.1 x 2 inch

€1,200

Painting, Deprive, Akande John

Akande John

Painting . 63.5 x 63.5 x 2.5 cm Painting . 25 x 25 x 1 inch

€1,007

Painting, Flowerskull, VL.

VL.

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

€130

Painting, Stupeflip, Thomas Patin

Thomas Patin

Painting . 100 x 80 x 2.5 cm Painting . 39.4 x 31.5 x 1 inch

€949

Painting, Vanité 4, Laurence Cornou

Laurence Cornou

Painting . 21 x 15 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, Tête Bleue, Jean Roulland

Jean Roulland

Painting . 51 x 36 x 1 cm Painting . 20.1 x 14.2 x 0.4 inch

€750

Painting, New Ideas, Michael Alan

Michael Alan

Painting . 20.3 x 12.7 x 0.1 cm Painting . 8 x 5 x 0.04 inch

€1,098

Painting, Sans, Florian Eymann

Florian Eymann

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

€2,500 €2,000

Painting, Le veau d'or, CY Pavel

CY Pavel

Painting . 70 x 70 x 3.5 cm Painting . 27.6 x 27.6 x 1.4 inch

€4,600

Painting, Evening Run, James Gordaneer

James Gordaneer

Painting . 40.6 x 50.8 x 5.1 cm Painting . 16 x 20 x 2 inch

€3,204

Painting, Cry samourai, Julien Soone

Julien Soone

Painting . 80 x 60 x 5 cm Painting . 31.5 x 23.6 x 2 inch

€3,800

Painting, Manifeste, Nadja B.

Nadja B.

Painting . 50 x 100 x 3 cm Painting . 19.7 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

€900

Painting, Le Roi, Tarek

Tarek

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

€780

Painting, Barbarella, Carlos Olmo

Carlos Olmo

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

€1,800

Painting, Veritas, Tarek

Tarek

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

€3,500

Painting, Flowerskull, VL.

VL.

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

€130

Painting, Vanité 8, Laurence Cornou

Laurence Cornou

Painting . 21 x 15 x 0.2 cm Painting . 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.1 inch

€270

Painting, Onemizer's Vanity, Onemizer

Onemizer

Painting . 130 x 89 x 2 cm Painting . 51.2 x 35 x 0.8 inch

€13,900

Painting, Vanitas, Tarek

Tarek

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

€900

Painting, Skull, Tarek

Tarek

Painting . 20 x 20 x 1 cm Painting . 7.9 x 7.9 x 0.4 inch

€140

Painting, Sin título, Alex Jul

Alex Jul

Painting . 25 x 23 x 1.5 cm Painting . 9.8 x 9.1 x 0.6 inch

€580

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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.