# Allegory of Vanity \(detail\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [MOLENAER, Jan Miense]() - Date: 1601-1650 - Technique: Oil on canvas, 102 x 127 cm \(full painting\) ## Commentary The mellowly coloured painting is rich in detail and it is the still-life treatment of a medieval allegory. The female figure personifying all of the temptations and vain pleasures of the world had the globe as her permanent attribute; originally she used to carry it over her head, but in this painting it is present in the form of a world map on the wall behind her. The blond beauty is being combed by a servant. The ring in the woman's hand and the mirror are the symbols of riches and vanity, the latter one also signifying the idea of false appearances. A number of musical instruments appear in this picture and their role is emphasized: a mandolin hanging on the wall, also a violin with a bow, a number of wind instruments, and an open virginal and a cello \(not shown on this detail\). Their presence may be explained in three different ways. They may represent art as one of the earthly luxuries or they may refer to sensual pleasures, or by invoking the image of fleeting sounds, they may emphasize the idea of morality. <P> <TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLPADDING=5 BORDER=1 WIDTH=320 BGCOLOR="\#99CCCC"> <TR VALIGN=MIDDLE><TD><IMG SRC="/support/gif/listen.gif" BORDER=0 VALIGN=MIDDLE> Suggested listening \(streaming mp3, 12 minutes\):<BR><A HREF="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/music1/18\_cent/vivaldi\_mandolin\_concerto.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=350,height=350'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return true"><B>Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in G major for two mandolins and orchestra, RV 532</B></A> </TD></TR></TABLE> ## Related artworks - [A Quack and His Assistant]() - [Amorous Couple in an Inn]() - [Battle between Carnival and Lent]() - [Drinking Peasants]() - [Interior with a Violinist]() - [Interior with Children Drinking and Mischief-Making]() - [Painter in His Studio, Painting a Musical Company]() - [Peasant Wedding]() - [Peasants in an Inn Playing "La Main Chaude"]() - [Peasants in an Inn Playing "La Main Chaude"]() - [Peasants in the Tavern]() - [Self-Portrait with Family Members]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()