Memento mori

This painting with its animal skeletons and skulls interspersed with living animals and insects could be interpreted as a reminder of the fact that everything is finite. The title suggests this: remember that you are mortal. Symbolism of this kind was common and was meant to urge people to reflect, and caution against sinful living. The artist Savery had spent time as court painter to the emperor Rudolf II in Prague. The painting was probably produced at the emperor’s court, where there was great interest in nature and zoology.