Memento Mori
Memento mori is a phrase that translates from Latin as ‘remember that you will die’. Although it may sound morbid to our modern ears, to the ancient Greek Stoic philosophers reflecting on mortality was intended to invigorate life, and to create priority and meaning. Each day was viewed as precious. They were reminded not to waste time on the trivial and vain, but instead to live each day to its fullest as if it were the last.
In the art of painting, sculpture and photography, memento mori was used to remind the viewer of their own mortality, and of the shortness and fragility of human life. A typical portrayal might have shown death and the passing of time, such as a skull with an hour glass or an extinguished candle.
Later on the theme of the vanitas was introduced into art, presenting luxury items like fruit and flowers, wine, musical instruments and books to remind us explicitly of the vanity (in the sense of worthlessness) of worldly pleasures and objects. These themes were popular during seventeenth century religious Europe, when many believed that life on earth was a preparation for the afterlife.
