This striking still life juxtaposes symbols of life and death against a dark background with a graduated blue sky. A prominent human skull rests among vibrant flowers including white morning glories, pink and yellow roses. Rich fabric drapes across the composition - a deep blue velvet on the left and emerald green silk below. At the bottom of the scene lie scattered objects including a smaller skull and what appears to be a pale orb or sphere. The lighting is dramatic, creating sharp contrasts between the bright flowers and dark shadows, while highlighting the bone-white of the skulls. The arrangement perfectly captures the "memento mori" theme - a reminder of mortality amid life's fleeting beauty, with the fresh blooms and luxurious textiles representing earthly pleasures set against the eternal symbol of death.