‘It’s cold’. I said standing in the queue across the vast,
dark expanse of Central Park.
‘We should have a cup of coffee’. My husband replied.
Before, I could say anything he was on his way to get one
for both.
In a while, he came back with a brown bag and two cups of
cappuccinos!!!
Enjoying the froth, warmth and the subtle flavor of cinnamon
in my cappuccino, I was excited to enter the Frick Collection to see the masterpieces;
the Dutch have offered the world!
As I entered inside the museum, looked ahead and there she
was, looking quietly and steadily at all of us, across the winter gardens, “The
girl with the pearl earring” occupying the focus and attention of digitized
human beings. Admiring Vermeer’s work, I
walked in the adjoining hall. I was astonished to see the lively portrait by
Halls depicting a 19-year Dutch bride, wearing an intricately designed golden gown. I wondered how the golden oil paint still
talks the richness of her embellished brocade!
Crossing a few famous paintings, Claesz’s “Vanitas Still life”
caught my eyes. Being an Anatomist
depiction of human skull in the composition startled me. Very closely, I looked
at the different elements in the painting.
The deep eye sockets, broken tooth of the rigid human skull sitting with
an awe of superiority on the book with its ragged, torn pages. I wonder, the infinite
knowledge grasped by the deep convoluted sulci and gyri of his brain all
wrapped under the bony skullcap. The upside down, empty wine glass depicts the
celebrations of life with all its virtues and vices. The blue ribbon with a small key hanging at
the end of table incites him to open the Pandora of life. To get enthralled by
the beautiful colors of sunrise, to sway in the fields of blooming flowers, to
wonder where the birds are flocking together……….. but with the golden timepiece
ticking beside can he manage the bliss of just being still for a moment! This mystery
and unpredictability is what makes life interesting. Climbing the ladder, juggling
the difficulties, fulfilling all dreams and desires before the lamp gets
extinguished leaving the snuffed smoke in the air!
On our way back home, I marveled, how did the painting talk
to me? I am absolutely astonished how can a person of twenty-first century
still relate with the still life composition of a 400 years old painting. I
thought, I am an evolved species possessing all the worldly materials that
makes all aspects of my life easier!
“Vanitas Still life” emotionally molded me in the
deep, unfathomable world where I am always puzzled by ‘What is the gist of my
life?’ – Yes, its the brevity.
