MOLENAER, Jan Miense (b. ca. 1610, Haarlem, d. 1668, Haarlem) Allegory of Vanity (detail) 1633 Oil on canvas, 102 x 127 cm (full painting) Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio The mellowly coloured painting, from which this picture shows the central part, is rich in detail and it is the still-life treatment of a medieval allegory. The female figure personifying all of the temptations and vain pleasures of the world had the globe as her permanent attribute; originally she used to carry it over her head, but in this painting it is present in the form of a world map on the wall behind her.
MOLENAER, Jan Miense (b. ca. 1610, Haarlem, d. 1668, Haarlem) Allegory of Vanity (detail) 1633 Oil on canvas, 102 x 127 cm (full painting) Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio The mellowly coloured painting, from which this picture shows the central part, is rich in detail and it is the still-life treatment of a medieval allegory. The female figure personifying all of the temptations and vain pleasures of the world had the globe as her permanent attribute; originally she used to carry it over her head, but in this painting it is present in the form of a world map on the wall behind her. The blond beauty is being combed by a servant. The ring in the woman's hand and the mirror are the symbols of riches and vanity, the latter one also signifying the idea of false appearances. A number of musical instruments appear in this picture and their role is emphasized: a mandolin hanging on the wall, also a violin with a bow, a number of wind instruments, and an open virginal and a cello (not shown on this detail). Their presence may be explained in three different ways. They may represent art as one of the earthly luxuries or they may refer to sensual pleasures, or by invoking the image of fleeting sounds, they may emphasize the idea of morality. --- Keywords: -------------- Author: MOLENAER, Jan Miense Title: Allegory of Vanity (detail) Time-line: 1601-1650 School: Dutch Form: painting Type: mythological
Size: 2808px × 3264px
Photo credit: © Carlo Bollo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1600, 1600s, 17th, age, artwork, century, dutch, genre, golden, jan, miense, molenaer, paint, painter, painting, paintings
