The Eleven Ages of Man 1609 - 1672

Gerhard Altzenbach's *The Eleven Ages of Man* (1609–72) is an engraving that depicts the stages of life from infancy to death. The artwork follows the conventions of the *Ages of Man* genre, with a series of figures representing various stages of life, accompanied by text and symbols. The central figure is an infant in a cradle, followed by figures of a young boy, a young man, a man in his prime, an older man, and an elderly man. Death is represented by a skeleton holding a scythe, and the final figure is a corpse in a coffin. The work is a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The engraving's use of detailed figures, symbolism, and text makes it a valuable resource for understanding the cultural beliefs and values of the 17th century.