De tre livsaldre 1686 - 1738

Hendrik Krock created this drawing titled ‘The Three Ages of Woman’ with red chalk on paper. In the foreground, we see an infant sitting on an older woman's lap while another older woman stands behind them. The theme of the three ages of man or woman was a popular subject in European art from the Renaissance onward. It offers a visual representation of the passage of time and the cycle of life. Krock was a Danish artist who spent many years in Italy, and this drawing reflects the influence of Italian Renaissance art in its composition and style. We might consider it as an essay on the importance of family and the roles of women within it. To understand the drawing, we can look at the cultural context in which it was made. Consider the role of women in Danish society during the 17th and 18th centuries and the importance of family and lineage. We can also research the artist's biography and his connections to the Danish court and the art world.