Allegory of Vanity
about 1640 | Leonhard Bramer
The “Allegory of Transitoriness” (Inv. No. GG 417) creates a contrast with that of vanity. Here vanity is represented as a woman who, surrounded by magnificent but carelessly strewn vessels and golden chains, musical instruments and pieces of armour, is gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Just as music fades away as soon as it is played, beauty, riches and the fame of war fade as well.
The “Allegory of Transitoriness” (Inv. No. GG 417) creates a contrast with that of vanity. Here vanity is represented as a woman who, surrounded by magnificent but carelessly strewn vessels and golden chains, musical instruments and pieces of armour, is gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Just as music fades away as soon as it is played, beauty, riches and the fame of war fade as well.
Artist:
Leonhard Bramer (1596 - 1674 Delft) DNB
Time:
about 1640
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Dutch
Material/technology:
oak wood
Dimensions:
Overall: 80,3 cm × 61,3 cm
Framed: 96,5 cm x 77 cm x 8,5 cm
Signed
Inscribed on the gold trimming of the table carpet: L. Bramer
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 413
Provenance
acquired between 1772 and 1781 from the Vienna Schottenstift