Old woman and two infants 1635 - 1675

This engraving, made by Jacques Dassonville in the 17th century, depicts an old woman with two infants. What strikes me is how Dassonville captures the cyclical nature of life itself, a theme deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. The old woman, a symbol of aging and wisdom, cradles a child, representing new beginnings. This image reminds me of similar depictions in ancient Roman art, where figures of old age are often paired with symbols of youth and fertility, embodying the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This pairing speaks to the subconscious human desire to find continuity. Consider how such imagery evolves, as different cultures and eras imprint their own meanings onto these motifs. The emotional weight of this image lies in its ability to evoke a sense of time, mortality, and the enduring human spirit. It’s a dance of life, a constant return, as old symbols resurface, transformed yet familiar, echoing through the corridors of time.