Soap Bubbles
Charles-Amédée-Philippe van Loo
1764 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This genre painting features a central girl surrounded by two boys, one of whom is blowing a soap bubble from a clay pipe. The composition is framed within a trompe l'oeil oval border.
Did you know?
In 18th-century art, the motif of children blowing soap bubbles was a popular allegory for 'Homo Bulla', a Latin phrase meaning 'Man is a bubble.' This served as a memento mori, reminding viewers of the fragility and transience of human life despite the lighthearted appearance of the scene.
On your wall. Unlock the HD download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Soap Bubbles
Charles-Amédée-Philippe van Loo, 1764
