The Iron Age 1665

Georg Andreas Wolfgang the Elder created this engraving titled "The Iron Age." Embedded within a circular frame, Wolfgang depicts a scene of conflict and moral decay, a perspective rooted in the tumultuous 17th century, marked by wars and religious strife. The Iron Age, in classical mythology, is the last and worst age of humanity, characterized by violence and dishonor. Wolfgang visually translates this decline through clashing figures outside a fortress, contrasted by a scene of apparent violence within a cave. The inscription, in Latin, reinforces this theme, lamenting the loss of faith and the rise of deceit. It speaks to a society where moral values have been corrupted. Wolfgang’s work reflects a deep-seated anxiety about the state of humanity, a theme that resonates across different cultures and times. Ultimately, Wolfgang asks us to consider the consequences of societal breakdown and the emotional toll of living in an age defined by conflict.