Adulthood (Evening) from The Four Ages of Man and Death with the Last Judgment

Art Historical Context

"Adulthood (Evening)" is a striking engraving from the series *The Four Ages of Man and Death with the Last*, created before 1619 by Flemish artists Hieronymus Wierix, a master engraver, and Ambrosius Francken I, likely the designer. Produced in Antwerp during the vibrant Northern Renaissance transitioning to Baroque, this print captures the allegorical theme of human life stages, with adulthood symbolized as evening—a time of maturity tinged with impending decline. The rare early state, before astrological symbols were added to the flag on the left (as noted in Hollstein's catalog), makes it a gem for print enthusiasts, showcasing the meticulous precision of engraving on a modest plate measuring about 8½ x 12 inches. Engravings like this were revolutionary for their day, allowing intricate details—men and women in carriages drawn by horses, evoking worldly pursuits—to be reproduced affordably for devout households. The inclusion of the Last Judgment underscores the era's memento mori obsession, reminding viewers of mortality amid Counter-Reformation fervor in Catholic Flanders. Wierix's fine burin work renders textures from flowing fabrics to dynamic horseflesh with lifelike clarity, a hallmark of Flemish printmaking's golden age. Today, this piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, bequeathed by Phyllis Massar in 2011, invites us to reflect on life's fleeting phases. Gaze closely at its subtle lines, and you'll feel the weight of time's passage.