Le Calandrier des Vieillards (The Calendar of Old Men, from Suite d'Estampes Nouvelles pour les Contes de la Fontaine (Series of New Prints for the Tales of La Fontaine) 1700 - 1755

Nicolas de Larmessin III created this print, "The Calendar of Old Men," featuring symbols of age, deceit, and perhaps, folly. Note the almanac clutched by the old man; in this era, it was both a calendar and a source of popular wisdom, yet here it seems a tool for manipulation. Consider the gesture of the old man touching the young woman; this evokes the recurring motif of the 'unsuitable couple,' found across cultures and epochs. Such unions often symbolize the triumph of base desires over reason, appearing in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings alike. The fallen purse at their feet is reminiscent of the 'vanitas' tradition, a reminder of life's ephemerality. The old man's act of touching is a primal expression of desire. It reminds us of our collective awareness of age, youth, and the transient nature of beauty. These potent symbols tap into our subconscious, engaging us on a deeply emotional level, even centuries later. Like a snake shedding its skin, these motifs resurface, evolving, and taking on new meanings across historical contexts, perpetuating a cyclical dance of cultural expression.