Jeugd en ouderdom 1650 - 1700

This allegorical print, titled "Jeugd en ouderdom," or "Youth and Old Age" in English, is rendered with fine lines and intricate crosshatching, typical of engravings. The contrast between the figures is striking. On one side, the youthful figure is adorned with a flamboyant hat and tunic; he gestures animatedly towards the cherubic figure riding a goat, symbolizing youthful folly. The composition reflects vitality with upward diagonals and lively interaction. Conversely, old age is represented as a seated, cloaked man weighed down by time and worldly goods shown at his feet. The artist uses the formal elements of line and form to visually articulate the dichotomy between the vigor of youth and the resignation of old age. This division serves as a commentary on the inevitable passage of time, suggesting a meditation on the ephemeral nature of human existence. The engraving employs semiotic contrasts to invite viewers to reflect on their own lives and mortality, illustrating an artistic exploration of time's passage through symbolic representation.