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    STUDIA THEOLOGIA ORTHODOXA - Issue no. 2 / 2012  
         
  Article:   „THIS VAIN WORLD” – THE ICON OF THE VANITY OF THE EARTHLY LIFE.

Authors:  . 		 
       
         
  Abstract:  One of the most outstanding representations described in the Painter’s Manual of Dionysius of Furna is that of „This Vain World” – the icon of the vanity of the earthly life. Both complex in its composition and surprising by the approached theme, this scene is rarely painted in the Byzantine art. It describes the story of man’s life through picturesque and sometimes, shocking images. This representation is an illustration of the drama and of the futility of running in vain, characteristic for the profane way of existence put under the sign of the perishable. This entire scene might be a visual synthesis of the book of Ecclesiastes, which may as well have inspired it, and which states that: „vanity of vanities; all is vanity!” (Eccl. I, 2), and furthermore, „all is vanity and vexation of spirit!” (Eccl I, 14).

Keywords: vain world, vanity, life, Ecclesiastes 		 
         
     
         
         
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