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Momento Mori by *Xanryu:iconXanryu:

Categories Photography > Horror & Macabre

©2009-2010 *Xanryu
:iconxanryu:

Artist's Comments

This is my recreation of Philippe de Champaigne's Vanitas (c. 1671) Philippe De Champaigne reduced his painting to three essentials: Life, Death, and Time.
In the arts a Vanitas is a symbolic life painting,the word is latin for "Emptiness" and loosely translated corresponds to the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of vanity.
The theme of the contest "Momento Mori" translates to the words "Remember you will die"
It names a genre of artistic creations that vary widely from one another, but which all share the same purpose: to remind people of their own mortality and the punishment they will receive if they transgress the rules of their religion.
In ancient Rome, the words are believed to have been used on the occasions when a Roman general was parading through the streets during a victory triumph. Standing behind the victorious general was his slave, who was tasked to remind the general that, though his highness was at his peak today, tomorrow he could fall or be more likely brought down. The servant conveyed this by telling the general that he should remember, "Memento mori." It is further possible that the servant said instead, "Respice post te! Hominem te memento!": "Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man!"
Two stanzas typical of memento mori in mediaeval music are from the virelai ad mortem festinamus of the Catalan Llibre Vermell de Montserrat from 1399:

Vita brevis breviter in brevi finietur,
Mors venit velociter quae neminem veretur,
Omnia mors perimit et nulli miseretur.
Ad mortem festinamus peccare desistamus.

Life is short, and shortly it will end;
Death comes quickly and respects no one,
Death destroys everything and takes pity on no one.
To death we are hastening, let us refrain from sinning.

Ni conversus fueris et sicut puer factus
Et vitam mutaveris in meliores actus,
Intrare non poteris regnum Dei beatus.
Ad mortem festinamus peccare desistamus.

If you do not turn back and become like a child,
And change your life for the better,
You will not be able to enter, blessed, the Kingdom of God.
To death we are hastening, let us refrain from sinning.

Colonial American art saw a large amount of "memento mori" images in their art because of their puritan influence. The Puritan community in 17th century America looked down upon art because they believed it drew the faithful away from God, and if away from God, then it could only lead to the devil. However, portraits were considered historical records, and as such they were allowed. Thomas Smith, a 17th century Puritan, fought in many naval battles, and also painted. In his painting Self-Portrait we see a typical puritan "memento mori" with a skull, suggesting his imminent death.

The poem under the skull is a common puritanical poem which emphasizes Smith's acceptance of death:

Why why should I the World be minding,Therein a World of Evils Finding. Then Farwell World: Farwell thy jarres, thy Joies thy Toies thy Wiles thy Warrs. Truth Sounds Retreat: I am not sorye. The Eternall Drawes to him my heart, By Faith (which can thy Force Subvert) To Crowne me (after Grace) with Glory.

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Stocks Used:

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Full View Is A Must

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Entry For: :iconasaenath: 's Momento Mori Contest
[link]
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Title Translation: Remember You Will Die
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Refrences: [link]

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November 5, 2009
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