Final answer:
The oil lamp in Vanitas paintings symbolises the brief and unpredictable nature of life and the passing of time. It is a memento mori, reminding viewers of the inevitability of death and the futility of material pursuits in the context of the eternal.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Vanitas paintings, the oil lamp is typically used to symbolise the transient nature of life and the passage of time. Just as the flame of an oil lamp can be extinguished suddenly, life can be short and unpredictable. Vanitas paintings serve as a reminder of the inevitability of death and the triviality of worldly possessions and achievements in the grand scheme of eternity. Valdés Leal, a Spanish Baroque painter, used such imagery to convey the theme that life is fleeting and material accolades, like military honors or wealth, hold no value after death.
In contemporary times, Audrey Flack revived the Vanitas theme with her painting Marilyn (Vanitas), incorporating vibrant colors and objects that carry both historical and feminist connotations. These paintings convey the moral message about the brevity of life, an idea that is deeply rooted in the tradition of still lifes, especially during the 17th century Dutch period, where even less obvious symbols like half-peeled lemons were used to project the Vanitas theme.