Age adorned by folly with the clothes of youth 1745

"Age adorned by folly with the clothes of youth", a 1745 etching by Louis Surugue, depicts an elderly woman attempting to appear youthful. A younger woman assists her in adjusting her clothing and hair while a cherub flies above, symbolizing the fleeting nature of youth and the folly of trying to hold onto it. The piece, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is a satirical commentary on the vanity of aging and the desire for eternal beauty. The etching's fine lines and detailed rendering capture the intricacies of both the figures and the surrounding objects, creating a sense of realism and adding depth to the satirical message.