Puzzle Description:

"Vanitas Still Life with a Tulip, Skull, and Hour-glass" by Phillipe de Champaigne (1602-1674). I felt like doing a still life. Art class time-- what is the symbollic meaning of the objects in this painting? Discuss.

#1: Jane Doe (telly) on Aug 16, 2008 [SPOILER]

Can't believe I'm the first to comment.
Nice one, btw.
I think the hour glass combined with the skull indicates that time is running out. ?

I got the same thing telly..& the tulip would go on the grave

always love your puzzles :)

Wow, Telly, that *was* fast!

The solver said it was logical, so I went ahead and published it, but I just finished solving it on my own myself!

I like your interpretation.

And Naneki posted while I was still writing! You guys are quick!

Awesome puzzle! Thank you!

As I was solving this, it kind of reminded me of The Brain That Would Not Die (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052646/). I'm glad that wasn't it!

Very nicely done.

I've only seen the MST3K version of that movie! LOL!

Loved this puzzle, even though I am half dead at the moment, got the flu bad. Well it has certainly been like time was running out for me this week, and I can't smell flowers either. Thankyou :)

sorry you're sick! Feel better soon.

Thankyou Jane! :)

Aw, sorry Marz. The painting has become symbollic of your illness then!

I hope you feel like a bright sunny painting soon!

The tulip symbolizes life.
The hourglass is time.
The skull is the eventual outcome when the first two are combined.

Thanks for sharing your art class with us Arduinna. :-)

Get better soon Marz.

Very good answer, Gypso!

Thank you Darlink!

In a single word, the puzzles represents: Mortality. Expanding: Life is finite.

The symbolism seems to have been a popular theme in artistic expressions of the era. Robert Herrick (1591-1674):

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.

Goto next topic

You must register and log in to be able to participate in this discussion.