Riddle's Art

Vanitas 
24”x36”
Oil on Canvas



Vanitas
This piece is a nod back to the dutch masters and their Vanitas paintings. Vanitas paintings were intended to focus on the transience of time. They were still-lifes with various items incorporated to symbolize mortality. It seems that these paintings quickly evolved from a commentary on mortality into a humble brag so to speak. Yes the paintings had objects that communicated how fleeting life was but the paintings would also have extravagant foods, foreign tapestries, imported vessels and much more. It was like the patrons wanted to document their opulence in the same way we put on our best face for selfies. Humans are humans I suppose. Also artists would often discretely incorporate their portrait into the work. Usually in the reflection of one of the more lustrous objects in the still life

All that to say the Dutch Vanitas paintings inspired this painting. I have incorporated the very obvious reference to mortality with the skull and the fruit. Underneath the skull is my late mother’s bible from when she was a child. This item in particular passes from past to future in its symbolism. It reminds me of where I came from (God and my mother), it also is used as tool for guidance in my present life and informs me of where I am going based on my belief in its contents. There are acknowledgements of huge influences in my life through the Vincent Van Gogh book and the Bible. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway and Wayne Grutem’s Systematic Theology are two books I am working through as well.  Also an unrecognizable issue of Facefull Magazine that features the first professional paintball team to come out of Texas. This stack of writing was thoughtfully curated as a way of presenting my interpretation of … well me.  
The paintball mask on the right is a total acknowledgment of my vanity. I am thoroughly engrossed in paintball. One of the most expensive sports around. I’ve spent more money than I’d like to admit on a game that most people never get the privilege or pleasure to play. You might notice my reflection in the lens fully owning that vice. 
Behind it you’ll notice a vibrant orange alpaca wool throw that was gifted to me from a former student. 
    The entire still life rests on a keffiyeh that I would often wear during my paintball days. 
     In a way this Vanitas still life is a self portrait of what I have been, what I am, and what I wish to be. 
Be sure to like this if you made it to the end. What better way to appease	my vanity than to like my Vanitas. I’m kidding. Have a great day thank you for reading. 

P.S. what would your Vanitas still life have in it?

Riddle's Art

clintriddle

Vanitas

$500