Vanity, Otto Hanrath (1923) by Atelier Liesjes

About "Vanity, Otto Hanrath (1923)"

by Atelier Liesjes

About the artwork

The term vanity has two meanings in Dutch, which are related but differ in important respects. The present meaning of the word is in the direction of what in Latin was called superbia and in Greek hybris. By superbia or pride is meant the desire to be more important or attractive, or a love of self. The other meaning of the word vanity corresponds to the Latin vanitas and indicates emptiness, transience and meaninglessness. This meaning is reflected in the expression 'vanity of vanities' and also underlies the admonition memento mori (remember to die). Vanitas is a well-known theme in the visual arts.

Here too, a woman full of emptiness and love for herself is putting on her face while standing almost naked, with only stockings, in front of a large mirror. Because of this, the girl's buttocks and back are exposed and visible. In the reflection, the model's hips, stomach and chest or torso are also visible while she is doing her make-up.

All in all a sexy and sensual erotic picture with romance.

Lithograph by Johan Otto Hanrath (Amsterdam, Holland, Netherlands, April 8, 1882 - Groesbeek, Gelderland, September 13, 1944). The maker was a Dutch artist. He was one of the founders of the artists association De Brug (1926) and worked in that time in the style of the new zakelijkheid. He was also a member of the De Onafhankelijken, Sint Lucas and 'Arti'. Using the pseudonym Maximnoff, he also wrote several plays.