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Notes
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The four stages of human life are represented by figures with objects relating to their age. Childhood holds an empty bird trap, showing his innocence and naivety: he has let the bird escape. Youth plays a lute, symbolising pleasure and desire. Adulthood in armour wears a victor’s laurel wreath and cradles a book. Old Age is positioned next to coins signifying greed, and holds a glass symbolising the fragility of life. The table and background are plain and mostly in shadow. The strong lighting reveals the facial features of each figure, all but one of whom stare solemnly out of the painting. Adulthood looks down, supporting his head on one arm. Groups of figures around a table were common in the work of Caravaggio (1571–1610) and his northern followers.
Title
The Four Ages of Man
Date
about 1629
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 96.5 x W 134 cm
Accession number
NG4919
Acquisition method
Presented by the 2nd Viscount Bearsted through The Art Fund, 1938.
Work type
Painting
