Monstrum - Limited Run PrintCreated in the tradition of 17th memento mori, 'Monstrum' explores themes of mortality and transience. Vanitas still lifes were historically popular in Northern Europe as a means to encourage contemplation of the brevity of life and the futility of worldly pursuits. The Latin phrase "vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas" ("vanity of vanities, all is vanity") encapsulates the philosophy behind these works. This contemporary photograph updates that powerful