Old Man with Skull and Staff 1635 - 1643

Jan Lievens made this drawing of an old man with skull and staff with pen in the 17th century. The image reflects cultural attitudes of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of economic prosperity in the Netherlands. The skull is a stark reminder of mortality, a theme that resonated with the Protestant values emphasizing individual responsibility and the transience of earthly possessions. The old man's weary expression suggests a life of labor, in a society where social mobility was growing but still limited. Lievens worked in Leiden and later in Antwerp. His career coincided with the rise of the art market and the growing importance of artistic reputation. Old Man with Skull and Staff is a study in contrasts, prompting us to consider the relationship between human existence and social structures. Historians use a range of sources, including archival records, period literature, and studies of material culture, to reveal the ways in which art reflects and shapes the social and institutional contexts of its time.