
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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Estudio del cerebro humano según el sistema de frenología, c. 1902
Montserrat Tobella Bosch
Painting - 46 x 38 x 1.5 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 0.6 inch
$3,407

Cerises en tyrolienne
Jean-Pierre Walter
Painting - 12.7 x 12.7 x 0.5 cm Painting - 5 x 5 x 0.2 inch
$304

Le temps suspendu
Jean-Pierre Walter
Painting - 16 x 16 x 0.5 cm Painting - 6.3 x 6.3 x 0.2 inch
$351

Cœur de fraise
Jean-Pierre Walter
Painting - 15.3 x 12.4 x 0.5 cm Painting - 6 x 4.9 x 0.2 inch
$328



The Dominance of Evil
Matheo Delalle
Painting - 100 x 70 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 27.6 x 1.2 inch
$3,100

Burden of change
Matheo Delalle
Painting - 120 x 100 x 3 cm Painting - 47.2 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch
$3,568

Le voyage de Miss D
Anne-Marie Vesco
Painting - 8.04 x 8.04 x 0.07 cm Painting - 3.2 x 3.2 x 0 inch
$468



El Diablo
María José Franco Maldonado
Painting - 27 x 17 x 0.3 cm Painting - 10.6 x 6.7 x 0.1 inch
$370






Brainstorming à la crème
Marc Felten
Painting - 50 x 50 x 6 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 2.4 inch
$2,340




Amazing World of Ghosts
Anand Manchiraju
Painting - 66 x 111.8 x 0.3 cm Painting - 26 x 44 x 0.1 inch
$6,000

Himalayan resort
Anand Manchiraju
Painting - 76.2 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Painting - 30 x 40 x 0.1 inch
$6,000








El jardín de la muerte
Angelica Briones
Painting - 91.4 x 121.9 x 3.81 cm Painting - 36 x 48 x 1.5 inch
$13,045










La vanité de l'existence
Céline Achour
Painting - 24 x 19 x 2 cm Painting - 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.8 inch
$257


Aurum Hortensis
Angela Morris-Winmill
Painting - 80 x 80 x 1 cm Painting - 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.4 inch
$1,739










Destruction of humanity
Aziz Anzabi
Painting - 102 x 102 x 4 cm Painting - 40.2 x 40.2 x 1.6 inch
$14,040

Looking like the moon
Adrien Conrad
Painting - 100 x 80 x 2 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.5 x 0.8 inch
$2,808




Sa Place dans le Monde
Loran Meldrid
Painting - 73 x 92 x 2 cm Painting - 28.7 x 36.2 x 0.8 inch
$1,170





Life, Death, and Tulips
Lena Applebaum
Painting - 180 x 140 x 3 cm Painting - 70.9 x 55.1 x 1.2 inch
$11,828




Donald T. Carotte
Baptiste Laurent
Painting - 168 x 128 x 0.3 cm Painting - 66.1 x 50.4 x 0.1 inch
Sold

Un jour parmi d'autres II
Cécile Duchêne-Malissin
Painting - 73 x 60 x 3 cm Painting - 28.7 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch
Sold




Fleur de toussaint
Cécile Duchêne-Malissin
Painting - 20 x 20 x 5 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 2 inch
Sold






Vanité rouge aux papillons gris
Philippe Pasqua
Painting - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
Sold




Sans titre
Jean-Michel Lourenço
Painting - 45.5 x 37 x 0.5 cm Painting - 17.9 x 14.6 x 0.2 inch
Sold







In a diamond crown
Marta Zawadzka
Painting - 130 x 130 x 2 cm Painting - 51.2 x 51.2 x 0.8 inch
Sold



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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.
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.
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.