An Essay for an Art History Class
Memento Mori, “To This Favour,” 1879 Oil on canvas William Michael Harnett (American, born Ireland, 1848-1892) The Latin Term memento mori describes a traditional subject in art that addresses mortality. In Harnett’s example, the extinguished candle, spent hourglass, and skull symbolize death. A quote from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, inscribed on the inside cover of a…