VALDES LEAL Juan de In Ictu Oculi Juan de Valdés Leal (1622-1690)

Here we see a dramatic composition dominated by a skeletal figure emerging from a chaotic pile of objects. The skeleton, positioned centrally and illuminated against a dark background, holds aloft a shield or tablet bearing an inscription – IN ICTU OCULI – suggesting a fleeting glimpse or immediate perception. This immediately establishes the work as a meditation on mortality and the ephemeral nature of existence.
The arrangement of objects at the base is deliberately disordered. Books lie open, their pages scattered; a globe rests precariously; drapery in rich crimson and white cascades across the scene, partially obscuring other items. These elements represent the pursuits and possessions that define human life – knowledge, exploration, wealth, status – all rendered meaningless by the presence of death. The discarded objects suggest a sudden abandonment, as if their owner has been abruptly taken.
The lighting is stark and theatrical, highlighting the skeleton’s bony form while plunging much of the scene into shadow. This chiaroscuro effect intensifies the drama and draws attention to the central figures message: that even in the midst of worldly achievements, death remains an inescapable reality. The darkness beyond the immediate foreground creates a sense of vastness and unknowability, hinting at what lies beyond earthly life.
The shield held by the skeleton is particularly significant. It acts as a visual barrier between the viewer and the dark void behind it, yet its inscription implies that even this brief glimpse – in the blink of an eye – reveals the ultimate truth: mortality. The overall effect is one of solemn reflection on the transience of human endeavors and the inevitability of death, urging contemplation of life’s fleeting nature.