Dr. Lee Jin-soo's Plastic Surgery Essay 39: Skull Models and Memento Mori

 I am a plastic surgeon specializing mainly in facial bone surgery. Mastering the shape of facial bones and understanding them in three dimensions is the first step in studying facial bone surgery. I am someone who is particularly familiar with the appearance of skulls. In my clinic, there are several skull models (though "cranium models" would be a more accurate term, I'll continue to use "skull" here as it is more commonly used) displayed. I primarily use these when explaining the skeletal structure of the face and the content of facial bone surgery during consultations. However, ordinary people may feel a slightly eerie fear when they see skull models. This might be because skulls are symbolically associated with death.

As skulls symbolize death, they frequently appear in art when the theme of death is required. One of the most representative paintings that come to mind when we think of skulls is "Vanitas Still Life." "Vanitas" is a Latin word meaning "emptiness" or "vanity."

Vanitas paintings existed even during the medieval period, but it became an independent genre starting from the 17th century in the Netherlands. In the 17th century Netherlands, there was a significant development of mercantilism and Protestant Reformation. Instead of religious iconography due to the Protestant Reformation, secularization flourished. With religious imagery being prohibited due to the Protestant Reformation, which emphasized austerity, affluent merchant citizen classes, who lost their main source of income as patrons of religious art, filled the gap through prosperous maritime trade.

Various rare treasures entered the Netherlands, and wealthy citizens desired paintings that depicted such treasures. However, lavish boasting was contradicted by the doctrine of austerity emphasized by Calvinism. Therefore, there was a need for objects that symbolized wealth and balance, and the skull became the most representative object for this purpose.

While displaying luxurious flowers and food, and showcasing rare and precious objects, Vanitas paintings simultaneously depicted the transience, emptiness, and fleetingness of life. They cautioned against indulgent and extravagant lives while advocating for balanced lives.

The attitude of living a more fulfilled life by acknowledging death has been observed even before this. The famous phrase "Memento mori" ("Remember you will die") derives from the cries of slaves who, behind victorious Roman generals during triumphal processions, reminded them of death. This Roman custom of contemplating death amidst triumphs could be seen as the distant spiritual root of Vanitas paintings.

The Vanitas Still Life with Skull and Bouquet of Flowers, Adriaen van Utrecht (1599~1652), canvas with oil, measuring 67 x 86 cm

Another famous artwork featuring skulls is Damien Hirst's "For The Love of God." "For The Love of God" is a work by Damien Hirst, a representative artist of the YBA (Young British Artists) movement, created in 2007. It consists of a platinum cast of an 18th-century human skull adorned with real human teeth and covered with 8,601 diamonds. A giant pink diamond of 52.4 carats shines on its forehead. At first glance, it appears as though diamonds are embedded in an actual skull, giving it a grotesque appearance.

The clash between death symbolized by the skull and the most magnificent jewel, the diamond, inserted into it, evokes various thoughts on life and death in viewers.

For the Love of God, Damien Hirst ( 1965~)

Do you remember the giant balloon dolls floating on Seokchon Lake?

It was the work of Kaws, one of the most popular artists these days. Kaws, who is also famous in Korea for his friendship with BTS, floated his giant balloon doll artwork on Seokchon Lake as part of his Holiday project.

The moving balloon doll, Companion, is a character created by Kaws in 1999 and is well known in the art toy industry. If you look closely at Companion, its body resembles Mickey Mouse, but its face is shaped like a skull overlaid with two femurs. By placing the symbol of eternal youth, Mickey Mouse, on the body and the symbol of death, the skull, on the face, Companion evokes a collision of opposing images.

In this way, throughout history, skulls have been used in art as a material to balance moments of lavish life.

Companion, Kaws (1974~)

Between life and death, extravagance and austerity, greed and self-restraint, luxury and simplicity, we must maintain balance amidst these opposing elements of life. As I look at the skull models today, I once again contemplate a balanced life.