Final answer:
Skulls in memento Mori represent the inevitability of death and serve as reminders of our mortality. They have been used to express religious reverence, convey moral messages in still life paintings, and symbolize the transient nature of life in the context of vanitas themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The skulls in memento Mori art traditionally represent the inevitability of death and serve as a reminder to the viewer of their mortality. While historically, these skulls may have held religious significance relating to ancestor worship, current interpretations also emphasize their role in the process of mourning and memory.
For example, the Neolithic skulls from Jericho, decorated with plaster and shell, could have been objects of ancestor veneration, although alternative meanings have been proposed. In Western art, particularly during the Renaissance and onward, the skull became a common element in vanitas paintings, symbolizing the transient nature of life and the futility of earthly pleasures and accomplishments.
Artists like Cézanne incorporated skulls into their still life paintings to communicate a moral message about life's brevity. His 'Pyramid of Skulls' is an example of still life where the skulls represent a dramatic resignation to death.
In summary, while the specific meaning behind individual memento Mori artworks may vary, the overarching theme is a contemplation on life, death, and the importance of living meaningfully.