Sophisticated and intimate images, those created with the help of a digital camera by the Spaniard Mario Monforte. Despite his name sounding Italian, Monforte was born in Spain and currently lives and works in Madrid. As a graduate in the History of Ancient Art and Archaeology he skilfully draws from his cultural background to give life to his research work. A wonderful example of sophisticated reference to the past is the series “Memento Mori”, composed of twelve photographs that reinterpret in a contemporary key the Vanitas. From medieval still life paintings, symbol of the transience of life, Monforte has taken the human skull, placing it at the centre of his compositions that see it “dressed” in a different way from time to time. The skull is flanked by fruit or vegetables – perishable material, and therefore a further symbol of death – or it is surrounded by diamonds and precious objects as if it were an invitation to enjoy the beauty of life because, inevitably, everything will have an inexorable end.