Levenstrap 1600 - 1661

This print, made by Frederik Bouttats around the mid-17th century, visualizes the stages of life as a set of stairs, a common theme in Dutch art of this period. The print is full of social commentary, reflecting the values and anxieties of the Dutch Golden Age. Each step of the staircase is populated by figures representing different stages of life, from infancy to old age, and the top step depicts death. The composition is laden with cultural references and moralizing text, prompting viewers to reflect on the transience of life. The scene’s structure embodies the rigid social hierarchies of the time, where one's position in society was largely predetermined. The print reflects the Protestant values prevalent in the Netherlands, emphasizing personal responsibility and the pursuit of a virtuous life. Analyzing this print as an art historian involves examining the period's social and religious context, drawing from sources like contemporary literature, religious texts, and social records. The print's meaning emerges not just from its aesthetic qualities but from its engagement with the social and institutional forces of its time.