A Vanitas Still Life Evert Collier (1640-1707)

The composition presents a meticulously arranged assemblage of objects on a draped table, set against a dark, indistinct background. A skull, prominently positioned and crowned with what appears to be gilded foliage, dominates the central space. It rests within an ornate, golden receptacle, further emphasizing its significance.

To the left of the skull, a partially open book displays pages scattered with what seem to be musical notations or diagrams. Beside it lies a collection of pearls, their luster contrasting with the somber tones of the scene. A mirror, reflecting a small figure atop a shell, is placed near the book, suggesting vanity and self-reflection.

Behind these objects, a stone plinth supports a volume bearing an inscription in Latin: Finis Coronat Opus – “The End Crowns the Work.” A scroll lies partially unfurled on the table’s surface, displaying another Latin phrase: Nemo Ante Mortem Beatus Dici Potest - No one can be called happy before death.

The arrangement of these items conveys a clear message about the transience of earthly pleasures and the inevitability of mortality. The skull serves as a memento mori, a reminder of deaths universality, while the pearls and mirror symbolize fleeting beauty and self-absorption. The book and musical notations might allude to intellectual pursuits ultimately rendered meaningless by death.

The Latin inscriptions reinforce this theme, asserting that true happiness cannot be achieved in life because it is inevitably cut short. The overall effect is one of profound melancholy and a meditation on the ephemeral nature of human existence, urging contemplation beyond material possessions and worldly achievements. The careful placement and symbolic weight of each element contribute to a complex visual statement about mortality and the search for meaning.