The Golden Age 1665

Georg Andreas Wolfgang the Elder created this engraving, titled 'The Golden Age', in the 17th century. It depicts a pastoral scene filled with figures enjoying leisure in a bountiful landscape. The presence of naked figures harkens back to classical depictions of Arcadia, a mythological place of peace. Here, humans live harmoniously with nature, an idea that stretches back to ancient Greece. Consider, though, how the idealized body appears repeatedly, from antiquity to the Renaissance, each time carrying a different cultural significance. The reclining figures evoke a sense of abandon but also recall classical sculptures, embodiments of idealized beauty. This motif is not merely aesthetic; it's a projection of a collective desire for an untainted state of being. These images tap into a deep, subconscious longing for simplicity and freedom from the burdens of civilization, a longing that has been continually re-expressed throughout history. This idealized vision engages us on a psychological level, a dream of returning to a primal, harmonious state.