Zilveren tijdperk 1599

Antonio Tempesta's 1599 etching "Zilveren tijdperk" ("Silver Age") depicts a scene from Ovid's "Metamorphoses" showcasing the second age of mankind. The Silver Age, a time of hardship and shorter lifespans, is symbolized by the figures' toilsome labor in the fields, while their rustic, thatched dwellings indicate the primitive nature of the era. This artwork, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the 16th-century Italian master's skill in representing a narrative through finely detailed engravings.