Allegory of Vanity and Repentance

Allegory of Vanity and Repentance is a 1616 oil painting by the Dutch artist Cornelis van Haarlem. It is now in the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Strasbourg, France. Its inventory number is 1969. The painting's lesser known and lesser used title is Human Love and Divine Love; it was also known in the past as Pagan Life and Christian Life. Although the Dutch Republic was mostly Protestant in 1616, van Haarlem's painting was made for a Catholic patron.[2][1]

Allegory of Vanity and Repentance
Human Love and Divine Love, Pagan Life and Christian Life
ArtistCornelis van Haarlem
Year1616
Mediumoil painting on panel
MovementNorthern Mannerism
Dutch Golden Age painting
Catholic art
SubjectAllegory of Vanitas
Dimensions100 cm × 125 cm (39 in × 49 in)[1]
LocationMusée des Beaux-Arts, Strasbourg
Accession1942

The foreground of the painting depicts a couple: a woman with a mirror and bare breasts, who personfies Vanitas; and a musician looking at the viewer, who personifies fleeting pleasure, as in the sounds of his instrument. On a table in front of them lay a crown, golden coins, and other precious wordly objects, such as a hanap. A bearded monk looking through the window attracts the viewer's attention by pointing towards Jesus praying in the Garden; his outstretched right hand towards the couple signifies that they may join him through repentance and be saved.[1][2]

References
  1. Mandrella, David (February 2009). Collection du musée des Beaux-Arts – Peinture flamande et hollandaise XVème-XVIIIème siècle. Strasbourg: Musées de la ville de Strasbourg. pp. 184–185. ISBN 978-2-35125-030-3.
  2. "Allégorie sur la vanité et le repentir ; L'amour humain et l'amour divin (autre titre)". French Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
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