After 1850, there was a resurgence of expressions of the emptiness and futility of earthly life, with symbols of death and transience of ephemeral objects.
Behrens
Rarely painted, particularly in classical form, until the 19th century, the Grim Reaper is based on Father Time, not Thanatos.
Curious still lifes and more containing allegories about the emptiness and futility of life on earth, and its brevity. Even seen in Cézanne and Jacek Malczewski.
The Eclectic Light Company 