The Ages of Man: Eighty Years c. 16th century

Curator: Crispijn de Passe’s “The Ages of Man: Eighty Years,” currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums, strikes me as a rather poignant scene. The circle framing and stark contrasts evoke a feeling of isolation, don’t you think? Editor: Indeed, the starkness certainly lends itself to that reading. But let's consider the engraving process itself: the labor involved in creating such fine detail, the materials used, and how prints like these were widely consumed and distributed. It speaks to a broader social understanding of aging. Curator: Absolutely. The print medium allowed for wider dissemination of these images, reflecting and shaping contemporary views on morality and the stages of life. It's interesting how the artist uses the domestic space to represent the final stage. Editor: Precisely! The domestic space becomes a stage for the final act. The crafting of the print allowed for accessible reflection for the average person. Curator: So, the image serves both a personal and public function? Editor: Exactly. And recognizing its material origins allows us to expand how we interpret the image in the social imagination. Curator: A valuable perspective! Thank you. Editor: My pleasure!