Youth and Age 1883 - 1884

Elihu Vedder's "Youth and Age" is a poignant illustration from 1883-1884 that portrays the passage of time and the inevitable shift from youth to old age. The drawing features two figures: a youthful woman standing with goats, and a seated, elderly figure cloaked in shadows. The woman represents springtime and youth, while the older figure embodies the waning of life. Vedder's masterful use of light and shadow creates a striking contrast, highlighting the contrasting stages of life, and emphasizing the poignant quote from the image, "Yet Ah, that Spring should vanish with the Rose!"