Hans Holbein The Younger
The French Ambassadors
1544. Oil and Tempera on wood National Gallery of London

Enrico de Pascale defines the memento mori theme as “Symbolic elements, such as a candle, skull, and clock, are intended to stimulate moralistic reflection on the futility of worldly acquisition and the brevity of our time on Earth.”
Very similar to memento mori, the Vanitas theme is very much applicable here as well. The Vanitas theme is usually represented as a still life of objects, and it is a symbolic declaration, This reminder of death and the ephemeral aspect of life are themes very apparent in the French Ambassadors.