Ouderdom 1533 - 1567

"Ouderdom" (Old Age), an engraving by Enea Vico, depicts a frail, elderly man bent over and supported by two crutches. The inscription, "EN VRM HIC SPECVLM, JVVENES HVC TENDIMVS OMNES" (in this mirror, young men, we all tend to this), serves as a memento mori, reminding viewers of the inevitability of aging and mortality. Vico, an Italian artist active in the mid-16th century, used fine lines to create a stark and realistic portrayal of old age. "Ouderdom" is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection and offers a poignant and thought-provoking meditation on human existence.