PEREDA, Antonio de
(b. 1611, Valladolid, d. 1678, Madrid)

The Knight's Dream (detail)

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Oil on wood
Museo de la Real Academia de San Fernando, Madrid

Objects of vanity are books, music, coins, jewellery, weapons and a mask (as a symbol of Thalia - the theatre). These are all considered futile. Transience is symbolized by two skulls - one of them rolled over so that we can see inside - as well as by a burnt candle and a clock. The flowers in the vase, too, are symbols of vanity.




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