Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
vanitas
Noun
/ˈvænɪtəs/
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Definition
A genre of painting that emphasizes the transient nature of life and the futility of pleasure.
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Examples
- The vanitas paintings of the 17th century often included symbols like skulls and wilting flowers to convey a moral message.
- In literature, the theme of vanitas is explored in many poems that reflect on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of beauty.
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Meaning
Vanitas is derived from the Latin word meaning ’emptiness’ or ‘vanity.’ It often reminds viewers of the inevitability of death and the insignificance of worldly achievements.
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Synonyms
- Futility
- Transience
- Vanity
- Ephemerality
- Mortality