Tabulae Vanitatis
Latin maxims that have lasted two thousand years, sabotaged by the language of now. Cogito ergo sum becomes I prompt, therefore it exists; Veni, vidi, vici becomes You're on mute. Gold on Arches paper, a vanitas for our time.
Vedi Vini Vici, 2026
Acrylic on arches paper
61 × 46 cm
Vanitas Vanitatum, 2026
Acrylic on arches paper
61 × 46 cm
Labora et Ora, 2026
Acrylic on arches paper
61 × 46 cm
Fiat Lux, 2026
Acrylic on arches paper
61 × 46 cm
Cogito Ergo Sum
Acrylic on arches paper
61 × 46 cm
Omnia Vincit Amor
Acrylic on arches paper
61 × 46 cm
Every painting in this series carries a Latin maxim in gold, and underneath it, in small type, the sentence that ruins it.
Veni vidi vici, and below: you're on mute. Fiat lux, and let it be a ring light. Vanitas vanitatum, over a handbag: investment piece.
The maxims are the ones that survived two thousand years because they sounded permanent. The lines underneath come from the last five. Putting them on the same sheet is not a joke at the expense of the Latin. It is a question about which of the two will still be legible in a hundred years, and I am not sure of the answer.