Vanity, 1907
Frank Cadogan Cowper RA (1877 - 1958)
The subject matter and composition of 'Vanity' are derived from Italian Renaissance painting. Cowper has bedecked his youthful beauty with jewels and given her a hand-mirror to signify vanity. She stands before a vine, heavy with ripe grapes, suggestive of abundance and pleasure. Although this painting is secular in subject, the pose of a woman leaning on a covered parapet is reminiscent of Renaissance imagery of the Virgin and Child.
Although Cowper did not belong to a particular artistic group this, like many of his paintings, relates to the work of artists now known as 'Second Generation Pre-Raphaelites'. Decorative and richly coloured, 'Vanity' suggests the romance of the past and alludes to notions of the chivalric and courtly love.
In Album: Jimmy's Timeline Photos
Dimension:
836 x 1280
File Size:
145.74 Kb
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