A human skull rests beside a candlelit lantern, an hourglass, and an open book in this late seventeenth-century Vanitas still-life painting by B. Schaak. Created between 1675 and 1700, the composition brings together four powerful reminders of mortality, the passage of time, and the limits of human existence. The book, bearing the title Pael-Steen, introduces a literary and moral dimension to the scene, while the restrained arrangement of objects reflects the contemplative character of Dutch Memento Mori painting. This historical reproduction is particularly suited to libraries, studies, Gothic interiors, and collections of philosophical and allegorical art.
The painting depicts a carefully arranged group of objects resting upon a wooden table: a human skull, a lantern containing a candle, an hourglass, and an open book.
The skull occupies a central place in the composition, serving as an unmistakable reminder of death and the transience of human life.
Beside it, the hourglass measures the passage of time, while the lantern and candle introduce the imagery of light, life, and their eventual extinguishing.
The open book contains printed text and verses under the title Pael-Steen, adding a written reflection to the painting's visual meditation on mortality.
The artist's signature, B. Schaak f., identifies the painter.
The artwork incorporates several traditional elements of Vanitas and Memento Mori imagery:
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Human skull: The inevitability of death and the fragility of human existence.
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Hourglass: The relentless passage of time and the limited duration of earthly life.
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Candle: The temporary nature of life, which may be extinguished at any moment.
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Lantern: Illumination, awareness, and the contrast between light and darkness.
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Open book: Knowledge, reflection, and the written contemplation of human mortality.
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Pael-Steen verses: A textual element reinforcing the composition's moral and contemplative character.
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Wooden table: An ordinary earthly setting that contrasts with the painting's universal message about death.
Together, these objects express the central message of Vanitas: human life is temporary, time cannot be recovered, and even the greatest knowledge and accomplishments cannot prevent mortality.
Product features
- Museum-quality matte paper with archival properties
- Durable frame options including MDF, kiln-dried pine, or Ayous wood
- Protective acrylic cover
- Built-in or included hanging hardware
Care instructions
- If the poster does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth. To remove spots or smudges from acrylic or glass, we recommend applying glass cleaner to a clean, soft, dry cloth or paper towel and then to the surface so that the cleaner does not settle on the frame, then buff the surface dry to remove any streaks.
