Allegory of Vanity

Allegory of Vanity
1647-1649
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
Italian (Genoese), 1609-1664
Oil on canvas

Castiglione was the leading Genoese artist of the 17th century, and many of his works, including this example, are rich in symbolism. The subject is encapsulated by the Latin inscription Vanitas (Vanity) on the base of the urn at the center. The vanity of sensual pleasures, intellectual pursuits and power are symbolized by the overturned urn of flowers that will soon fade and by the discarded instruments of music, science and war. Love is depicted in its most transient form, lust, by the bacchante with her tambourine in the foreground. At her feet lies a sprig of myrtle, a plant symbolizing Venus, goddess of love, and Bacchus, god of wine. The union of Venus and Bacchus produced a son, Priapus, god of lust and fertility before whose statue revelers dance in the background.

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11 comments on “Allegory of Vanity”

Captivatingly intricate and beautiful . Without your critique I would not be aware of the symbolism. Fascinating.

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Maverick ~ on July 17, 2018 at 6:42 pm said:

Thanks Holly, I’ve always found mythology interesting.

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- House of Heart on July 17, 2018 at 10:37 pm said:
  
  Me too . There’s a very interesting and detailed blog on Greek mythology at Aquileana de Aquila
  you might like. 😊
  
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- Maverick ~ on July 18, 2018 at 8:01 pm said:
  
  Oh, I love Aquileana’s blog! Thanks. 🙂
  
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- House of Heart on July 18, 2018 at 8:52 pm said:
  
  I thought you might 😊
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person