The Dutch Republic, being Protestant in the seventeenth century, had a remarkable outpouring of this introspective form of art. This individualistic sentiment towards contemplation, and the idea that images could serve as references for contemplation, helped guide the Dutch master’s imagination towards Vanitas. Protestantism fostered a more individualistic approach to contemplation in comparison with the communal prayer of Catholicism. Protestants argued that images could be useful for the contemplation of God and holy subjects. As Europe divided itself between Catholicism and sects of Protestantism it brought confusion to many religious issues which were a staple of the Early Modern mind.ĭuring this period, there was a surge towards Iconoclasm (the destruction of holy images) facilitated by the Catholics. The Protestant Reformation in the sixteenth century caused an unprecedented shift in religious thought. Vanitas and Protestantism The Penitent Magdalen by Georges De La Tour, 1640, via The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The still-life, Vanitas, tells us of the futility of our earthly pursuits in the face of our mortal existence. It is true that we will die, and therefore we should give thought to our pursuits and daily practices. However, what Vanitas evokes, primarily, is a stark truth. Please check your inbox to activate your subscription Thank you!
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