The Vanity of Human Wishes 1969

Curator: Sidney Nolan created "The Vanity of Human Wishes," now part of the Tate Collections. It presents an intriguing, spectral composition. Editor: Striking! The stark blue with those white outlines evokes a dreamlike, unsettling quality. And then the splashes of red—blood, passion, danger? Curator: The linear style emphasizes the figures' forms while minimizing detail. It also feels incomplete, as though it might be a sketch. Editor: Does this style align with Nolan’s other works, or is it a divergence? And what can we say about the social conditions influencing its creation? Curator: Nolan often explored themes of human frailty. It’s reasonable to consider how mid-20th-century anxieties surrounding conflict might have influenced such a depiction of vulnerability. Editor: The layering of figures creates a sense of rising—or falling—action. Very effective. Curator: Ultimately, Nolan's piece invites contemplation on desire and mortality. Editor: A haunting piece that lingers long after viewing.