3rd January 2026 Marilys & Beena
I am pleased to present a series of collages by Marilys, whose work explores Memento Mori and Vanitas. These concepts prompt viewers to reflect on mortality, time, and the meaning of life. For clarity, I have summarised key terms below.
“Memento Mori” means “remember that you must die” in Latin. It is an old theme in art, first seen among the Ancient Egyptians. As an art genre, it was defined in Roman times. Memento Mori’s purpose is to remind viewers of their own mortality, but it is not always a warning.
Memento Mori has inspired related themes, such as the “Danse Macabre” and “Vanitas.” While modern artists may not encounter death as often as those in the past, they use familiar symbols—skeletons, skulls, flowers, fruit, candles, clocks, hourglasses, and more. Today, artists often approach Memento Mori with playful or self-aware styles, as Marilys does.
While the Stoic philosophers promoted the idea that the inevitability of death should serve as a reminder to “seize the day” and live in the present, in early Christianity the Memento Mori served rather as a reminder that, with death, one’s soul might ascend to heaven. The role of Memento Mori was thus to bring ideas about heaven, hell, and the salvation of the soul to the forefront of worshippers’ consciousness. This was achieved through a combination of scripture and funerary art, such as mosaics and sculpture, which worshippers encountered on display in churches, graveyards, and ossuaries.
Vanitas images are associated with the Dutch Golden Age and its still-life tradition. They are akin to Memento Mori, reminding viewers of their mortality. However, they also condemn the pursuit of material wealth in life, calling it empty and vain. Using symbols such as wilting flowers, hourglasses, skulls, candles, watches, and decaying fruit, Vanitas images encourage viewers to resist luxury, accept their fate, and strive to live a pure, humble life.
The Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote: “Remember how precious is the privilege of living, breathing, being happy. The perfection of our conduct consists in using each day we live as if it were our last, and in never having impatience, languor, or falseness. We must feed the soul with the wisdom that comes from accepting death”.
I have posted them as a series, as collage art has a niche following. I hope you enjoy her work as much as I did.